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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Illinois VS COUNTRY B Missouri

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Illinois and Missouri in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
The border battle. Illinois' 4.95% flat slightly exceeds Missouri's 4.7% effective rate, but income tax difference is modest ($358/year at $100K). Property tax is the decision-maker: Illinois 2.08% (2nd-highest nationally) vs Missouri 0.93%. On $400K home: IL $8,320/year vs MO $3,720—MO saves $4,600 annually. Total at $100K + $400K home: Missouri saves $4,958/year. St. Louis metro straddles both states, allowing border arbitrage—live MO, work IL, save thousands. Illinois' pension crisis threatens future tax hikes, making Missouri's stability attractive.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.
🌽
COUNTRY A
Illinois
TAX RATE
4.95%
Flat Tax
Flat rate + high property
🏹
COUNTRY B
Missouri
TAX RATE
4.7%
Near-Flat Tax
2-4.7% (top at $9,072, effectively flat)
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Missouri → Illinois at $100,000
$358 income / +$3,720 property
That's MO saves $413/month total back in your pocket
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
🌽 IL TAX
🏹 MO TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$2,475
$2,230
MO saves $245
$2,450
$75,000
$3,713
$3,438
MO saves $275
$2,750
$100,000
$4,950
$4,592
MO saves $358
$3,580
$150,000
$7,425
$6,942
MO saves $483
$4,830
$250,000
$12,375
$11,642
MO saves $733
$7,330
$500,000
$24,750
$23,392
MO saves $1,358
$13,580
💡

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🌽

Illinois Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Chicago: world-class city, 35 Fortune 500 HQs
  • Higher median income ($88K IL vs $65K MO)
  • More international flights and connectivity
  • Stronger finance/healthcare sectors
− CONS
  • 2nd-highest property taxes nationally (2.08%)
  • $140B pension crisis threatens future tax hikes
  • Population decline (-104K in 2021-2022)
  • Chicago violence concerns in some neighborhoods
🏹

Missouri Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower income tax (4.7% effective vs IL 4.95%)
  • Much lower property tax (0.93% vs IL 2.08%)
  • Lower cost of living overall (15-20% cheaper)
  • Border proximity allows St. Louis metro straddling
− CONS
  • Lower median income ($65K vs IL $88K)
  • Smaller economy and fewer Fortune 500 HQs
  • St. Louis crime concerns
  • Less public transit (car-dependent)
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I save moving from Illinois to Missouri?

At $100K income: MO saves $358/year income tax (IL $4,950 → MO $4,592). Property tax is where massive savings occur: IL 2.08% vs MO 0.93%. On $400K home: IL pays $8,320/year vs MO $3,720—MO saves $4,600/year. Total at $100K + $400K home: MO saves $4,958 annually ($49,580 over 10 years). Add lower cost of living (groceries, utilities 15% cheaper), total savings exceed $60K over 10 years.

Can I live in Missouri and commute to Illinois for work?

Yes—this is the "St. Louis metro border arbitrage" strategy. Live in Missouri (O'Fallon, St. Charles, Chesterfield suburbs), work in Illinois (Belleville, Edwardsville). You'll pay Illinois tax on IL-sourced income, then get credit against MO tax. Net: you pay higher of IL 4.95% or MO 4.7% = IL wins (4.95%). But you SAVE on property tax ($4,600/year on $400K home) and sales tax (MO 7.48% vs IL 8.5%). Real savings: $5,000+/year from property tax alone.

Is Kansas City or St. Louis better for Illinois refugees?

St. Louis for proximity: 4.5 hours from Chicago, border with Illinois (metro straddles states), 2.8M metro. Corporate: Boeing, Emerson, Express Scripts. Median home $250K. Crime concerns in city proper but suburbs (Clayton, Ladue, Chesterfield) safe. Kansas City for growth: 2.2M metro, Hallmark, Cerner (Oracle), Sprint. Median home $320K. Farther from Chicago (7 hours) but booming economy. Choose STL for IL border proximity, KC for economic growth + lower crime.

What about Missouri property taxes vs Illinois?

Missouri property tax 0.93% average (37th nationally) vs Illinois 2.08% (2nd-highest, only NJ worse). On $400K home: MO $3,720/year vs IL $8,320—MO saves $4,600 annually. Over 30-year mortgage: save $138,000 in property tax by living in Missouri. This single factor drives IL-to-MO migration more than income tax difference ($358/year). For homeowners, Missouri wins decisively.

Can I work remotely from Missouri for an Illinois employer?

Yes, and Missouri is BETTER tax-wise if you work for IL employer REMOTELY from MO. You pay Missouri taxes (4.7%) on that income, NOT Illinois (4.95%). At $100K: save $358/year. Plus: MO property tax $3,720 (0.93% × $400K) vs IL $8,320 (2.08%)—save $4,600/year. Total remote work advantage: $4,958/year at $100K + $400K home. Many Chicago remote workers move to St. Louis suburbs, keep Chicago salaries, pay MO taxes, slash housing costs.
From the brief
PT38.4%−9.6 vs. headline
CY17.8%incl. 60-day rule
AE 0.0%substance required
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