Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Illinois to Tennessee
Illinois imposes a 4.95% flat income tax plus the 2nd highest property tax rate in America (2.08% average), creating a double burden on homeowners. Tennessee has zero state income tax (constitutionally protected) and one of the lowest property tax rates at 0.67% average. A $100,000 earner saves $4,950 per year on income tax alone moving to Tennessee. Add property taxes and the savings explode: on a $100K income + $400K home, Illinois charges $13,270 total (income + property) while Tennessee charges just $2,680 (property only), saving $10,590 per year. Over 15,000 people moved from Illinois to Tennessee annually between 2020-2023, driven by tax savings, lower cost of living (Nashville is 38% cheaper than Chicago), and job growth. Tennessee eliminated its estate tax in 2016, while Illinois still taxes estates over $4M at rates up to 16%.
Flat Tax
Plus 2nd highest property tax in US
No Income Tax
Constitutional prohibition on income tax
At $100,000 + $400K home income:
That is $883/month back in your pocket!
| Income | IL Tax | TN Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,475 | $0 | $2,475 | $24,750 |
| $75,000 | $3,713 | $0 | $3,713 | $37,130 |
| $100,000 | $4,950 | $0 | $4,950 | $49,500 |
| $150,000 | $7,425 | $0 | $7,425 | $74,250 |
| $250,000 | $12,375 | $0 | $12,375 | $123,750 |
| $500,000 | $24,750 | $0 | $24,750 | $247,500 |
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Moving from Illinois to Tennessee? 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 $10,590 per year moving to Tennessee ($883/month). This includes $4,950 in income tax savings and $5,640 in property tax savings. Over 10 years, that's $105,900 saved. Even accounting for Tennessee's higher sales tax (9.55% vs 6.25-8.75% IL), net savings exceed $9,000 annually for most households.
Yes. Tennessee's constitution (Article II, Section 28, adopted 2014) prohibits state income tax on wages and earned income. Tennessee previously taxed investment income (Hall Tax at 6%) but repealed this entirely in 2021. Tennessee now has zero income tax on wages, salaries, investment income, capital gains, dividends, interest, and retirement distributions. Constitutional protection makes it highly unlikely to ever change.
Illinois has the 2nd highest property tax rate in America at 2.08% average. Tennessee has one of the lowest at 0.67% average—less than one-third of Illinois' rate. On a $400,000 home: IL = $8,320/year, TN = $2,680/year—a savings of $5,640/year. Unlike some no-income-tax states, Tennessee home values are comparable to or lower than Illinois outside Chicago, maximizing savings.
Tennessee's 9.55% average sales tax (7% state + local) is the highest in the nation. For a household spending $60,000/year on taxable goods, you pay about $1,500-2,000 more in sales tax than Illinois suburbs. But income tax savings alone ($4,950 at $100K) dwarf this difference. Combined with property tax savings, Tennessee still saves you $9,000-10,000 annually despite higher sales tax.
Over 15,000 people moved from Illinois to Tennessee annually between 2020-2023, making it one of the largest state-to-state migration flows in America. Drivers include tax savings ($10,000+/year for homeowners), lower cost of living (Nashville 38% cheaper than Chicago), job growth (Nashville added 100,000+ jobs 2020-2025), and better weather. The trend accelerated during COVID and remains strong.
Illinois imposes a 0.8-16% estate tax on estates exceeding $4 million. A $10 million estate pays ~$480,000 Illinois estate tax. Tennessee eliminated its estate and inheritance tax entirely in 2016. All assets now pass to heirs tax-free regardless of estate size. For estates over $5M, Tennessee saves heirs $100,000-$2,000,000+ in state estate taxes.
Tennessee is better for most retirees. Illinois exempts Social Security, pensions, and 401k/IRA distributions from state income tax (big benefit). But Tennessee has no income tax at all, so retirees pay $0 in both states on retirement income. Tennessee wins on property taxes: 0.67% vs IL's 2.08% saves $4,000-6,000/year on a typical retiree home. Tennessee also eliminated estate tax, while Illinois taxes estates over $4M.
If you're a remote worker, yes. Your employer pays you the same gross salary regardless of where you live. Moving to Tennessee eliminates Illinois' 4.95% income tax. On $100,000, you save $4,950/year immediately. On $150,000, you save $7,425/year. Many tech workers, consultants, and finance professionals moved from Chicago to Nashville during COVID and kept their salaries while eliminating state income tax.
Nashville's cost of living is approximately 38% lower than Chicago according to 2025 data. Housing, utilities, and transportation are significantly cheaper. Median Nashville home ($425K) costs 20-30% less than comparable Chicago suburbs. Groceries and dining out are 15-20% cheaper. Combined with tax savings ($10,000+/year), total household savings often exceed $15,000-20,000 annually moving from Chicago to Nashville.
Yes. Illinois will tax you as a resident if you maintain domicile there. To establish Tennessee residency: (1) spend 183+ days in Tennessee, (2) get Tennessee driver's license, (3) register to vote in Tennessee, (4) file Declaration of Domicile with county clerk, (5) update financial accounts and estate documents to Tennessee address. Illinois audits aggressively—keep a diary of days in each state and establish clear Tennessee ties.
Not nearly as bad, but it's worsening fast. Nashville rush hour congestion on I-24, I-65, and I-440 increased significantly as population grew 15% (2020-2025). Average commute time: 28 minutes vs Chicago's 35 minutes. Key difference: Nashville has minimal public transit (one light rail line), so you must drive. Chicago offers CTA/Metra for car-free living. Nashville traffic is manageable compared to Chicago but worsening as the city grows.
High sales tax (9.55%), hot/humid summers (90°F+ May-September), limited public transit (car-dependent), rising housing costs (Nashville prices up 35% since 2020), traffic congestion worsening, healthcare costs above national average. You'll miss Chicago's world-class restaurants, museums, sports, and cultural diversity. But for most people, $10,000-20,000/year in savings and lower cost of living outweigh these trade-offs.