Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Illinois to North Carolina
Both Illinois and North Carolina use flat income tax systems with similar rates (4.95% vs 4.5%), but property taxes create massive savings differences. Illinois has the 2nd highest property tax rate in America at 2.08% average, while North Carolina averages just 0.77%—less than half Illinois' rate. A $100,000 earner pays $4,950 in Illinois vs $4,500 in North Carolina (saving $450/year on income). But add a $400,000 home and the total tax gap explodes: Illinois pays $13,270 total vs North Carolina's $7,580, saving $5,690/year. Property tax is the differentiator—save $5,240/year on a $400K home. Charlotte's cost of living is 35% cheaper than Chicago, amplifying the savings advantage.
Flat Tax
Plus 2nd highest property tax in US (2.08%)
Flat Tax
Much lower property tax (0.77%)
At $100,000 income:
That is $474/month back in your pocket!
| Income | IL Tax | NC Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,475 | $2,250 | $225 | $2,250 |
| $75,000 | $3,713 | $3,375 | $338 | $3,380 |
| $100,000 | $4,950 | $4,500 | $450 | $4,500 |
| $150,000 | $7,425 | $6,750 | $675 | $6,750 |
| $250,000 | $12,375 | $11,250 | $1,125 | $11,250 |
| $500,000 | $24,750 | $22,500 | $2,250 | $22,500 |
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Moving from Illinois to North Carolina? Multi-state returns are tricky—partial-year residency, different deadlines, avoiding double taxation. Get matched with a CPA who specializes in state moves. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
Get Matched With a CPA →At $100,000 income with a $400,000 home, you save $5,690 per year ($474/month) moving to North Carolina. This includes $450/year on income tax (4.95% vs 4.5%) and $5,240/year on property tax (2.08% vs 0.77%). Over 10 years, that's $56,900 saved. Add Charlotte's 35% lower cost of living and total savings exceed $100,000 over a decade for most homeowners.
Illinois property tax averages 2.08% of assessed value (2nd highest in US, behind only New Jersey). North Carolina averages 0.77%—less than half Illinois' rate. On a $400,000 home: IL = $8,320/year, NC = $3,080/year. That's $5,240/year more in Illinois. Cook County (Chicago area) often exceeds 2.5%, while NC counties stay consistent at 0.70-0.85%. Property tax is the killer difference in this comparison.
North Carolina wins for most retirees despite Illinois' broader retirement income exemption. Illinois exempts all retirement income (Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals). NC exempts only Social Security. A retiree with $80,000 pension pays $0 in Illinois vs $3,600 in NC. However, property tax savings ($5,240/year on $400K home) exceed this income tax cost, creating net savings of $1,640/year even for pension-heavy retirees in North Carolina.
North Carolina has slightly lower income tax: 4.5% flat rate vs Illinois' 4.95% flat rate. Both are flat tax states, so the 0.45 percentage point advantage applies at every income level. A $100,000 earner saves $450/year on income tax in NC. A $150,000 earner saves $675/year. The income tax difference is modest—property tax creates the massive savings gap (save $5,240/year on a $400K home).
Tax savings, cost of living, corporate relocations, and climate drive IL to NC migration. Taxes: Save $5,690/year at $100K + $400K home. Cost of living: Charlotte is 35% cheaper than Chicago. Jobs: Finance and tech firms moving operations to Charlotte. Climate: NC has milder winters (still four seasons, but shorter/warmer). Remote workers keep Chicago salaries while gaining NC tax/cost savings—a powerful arbitrage. Thousands of Illinois residents relocated to NC between 2020-2024.
$100,000 earner with $400,000 home pays $13,270 total in Illinois ($4,950 income + $8,320 property). The same person pays $7,580 in North Carolina ($4,500 income + $3,080 property). That's $5,690/year saved in NC, or $474/month. Over 10 years: $56,900 saved. Property tax drives most savings ($5,240/year), with income tax adding $450/year.
Remote workers can keep Chicago-level salaries ($100K-200K+ in finance/tech) while relocating to Charlotte. This creates massive arbitrage: $5,690/year tax savings at $100K + $400K home, plus 35% lower cost of living. To establish NC residency: (1) spend 183+ days in NC, (2) get NC driver's license, (3) register to vote in NC, (4) update employer records. Verify your employer allows NC residency before relocating.
North Carolina has slightly higher base sales tax: 6.75% state rate vs Illinois' 6.25%. With local add-ons, IL ranges 6.25-10.25% (Chicago at 10.25%), NC ranges 6.75-9.5%. For most residents outside Chicago, effective rates are similar (7-8.5%). NC exempts groceries entirely; IL taxes them at 1%. The sales tax difference is minor ($50-150/year) compared to property tax savings ($5,240/year on $400K home).
Yes. Illinois charges 4.95% flat income tax on all taxable income regardless of income level. North Carolina charges 4.5% flat rate. Both states use the same philosophical approach (flat tax, no progressive brackets), making this comparison simpler than most state comparisons. The 0.45 percentage point difference favors NC at every income level. Both states have standard deductions and personal exemptions that reduce taxable income before applying the flat rate.
Illinois pros: Retirement income exempt (SS, pensions, IRA). Cons: 4.95% income tax, 2nd highest property tax (2.08%), estate tax over $4M. North Carolina pros: 4.5% income tax (lower), 0.77% property tax (much lower), 35% cheaper cost of living. Cons: Taxes pension/IRA income (only SS exempt), still has income tax (unlike FL/TX). For homeowners, NC's property tax advantage overwhelms all other factors—save $5,240/year on $400K home.