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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Illinois VS COUNTRY B Texas

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

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
Illinois has a retirement tax situation that surprises most people: Social Security benefits are fully exempt, and most pension income from qualified retirement plans (public pensions, many private defined-benefit plans) is also exempt from Illinois state income tax. This is a constitutional protection in Illinois for public employee pensions. For retirees drawing primarily from public pensions and Social Security, Illinois income tax is effectively zero — the same as Texas. The real Illinois vs Texas retirement comparison is about property tax. Illinois is tied with New Jersey for the highest effective property tax rate in the United States, at 1.88%. On a $300,000 home in the Chicago suburbs, property tax bills of $7,500–$10,000/year are common. Texas averages approximately 1.4% — lower than Illinois, but still a meaningful cost nationally. On a $300,000 Texas home, the property tax runs about $4,200/year. The critical nuance: retirees with income from traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals DO pay Illinois income tax at 4.95% on those distributions, since these are not from 'qualified pension plans' in the Illinois sense. For retirees dependent on IRA/401(k) income, Texas wins. For those drawing from public pensions or SS, the difference is primarily property tax — and Illinois loses significantly on that front.
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
Pensions & SS Exempt — But Property Taxes

4.95% flat rate; Social Security exempt; most pension income exempt; IRA/401(k) withdrawals taxed; property taxes tied for highest in the US

🤠
COUNTRY B
Texas
TAX RATE
0%
No State Income Tax

Zero state income tax; no tax on any retirement income; high property taxes

TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from Texas → Illinois at $100,000
Varies

If retirement income is from traditional IRA/401(k): TX saves ~$4,950/year at $100K. If income is from qualified pension/SS only: IL income tax is also ~$0 — the comparison is then purely property tax (IL 1.88%, tied for highest in the US, vs TX ~1.4%). Verify your specific income source before comparing.

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
🤠 TX TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000 IRA/401(k)
$2,475 (if IRA/401k income)
$0
TX saves $2,475/yr on IRA income
$24,750
$75,000 IRA/401(k)
$3,713 (if IRA/401k income)
$0
TX saves $3,713/yr on IRA income
$37,130
$100,000 IRA/401(k)
$4,950 (if IRA/401k income)
$0
TX saves $4,950/yr on IRA income
$49,500
$100,000 qualified pension
$0 (pension exempt)
$0
Equal on income tax — compare property tax
$0
$150,000 IRA/401(k)
$7,425 (if IRA/401k income)
$0
TX saves $7,425/yr on IRA income
$74,250
💡

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🏙️

Illinois Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Social Security fully exempt from Illinois state income tax
  • Qualified pension income (public employee, many private defined-benefit pensions) fully exempt
  • 4.95% flat rate — moderate compared to states like California or Minnesota
  • No Illinois inheritance tax (estate tax applies to estates over $4M at 0.8-16%)
  • Strong healthcare infrastructure, especially in the Chicago metro area
− CONS
  • Property taxes averaging 1.88% — tied for the highest effective rate in the US (with New Jersey)
  • Chicago suburb homeowners commonly pay $7,000–$12,000/year in property tax
  • Traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals ARE taxed at 4.95% — not exempt like pensions
  • Significant pension funding crisis may affect long-term state financial stability
  • Cold winters with high utility and maintenance costs
🤠

Texas Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Zero state income tax — IRA, 401(k), RMDs, and pensions all untaxed
  • No estate or inheritance tax
  • Property taxes ~1.4% — meaningful but lower than Illinois
  • Warm climate eliminates winter costs
  • Growing retirement communities in Austin, San Antonio, and DFW suburbs
− CONS
  • Property taxes of ~1.4% still add up — a $350,000 Texas home costs ~$4,900/year
  • No Homestead Exemption comparable to Florida's $50,000 for primary residents (Texas has a smaller exemption)
  • Extreme summer heat throughout the state
  • Higher property insurance than Illinois in some areas
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois really not tax pension income?

Illinois exempts income from 'retirement plans' defined under specific criteria. Social Security is fully exempt. Income from qualified defined-benefit pension plans (public employee pensions including SERS, TRS, IMRF; federal government pensions; military pensions) is fully exempt. However, traditional IRA and 401(k) distributions are generally taxable in Illinois at 4.95%, as these are defined contribution plans rather than 'pension' plans under Illinois law. This distinction is critical: a retired Illinois teacher drawing a state pension pays no Illinois income tax on it; a private sector retiree drawing from a 401(k) does.

Why are Illinois property taxes so high?

Illinois property taxes fund local governments and schools with minimal state support. The state is tied with New Jersey for the highest effective property tax rate in the US, at 1.88%. Cook County (Chicago) and collar counties regularly see effective rates of 1.8–2.8%. There is no Homestead Exemption comparable to Florida's ($50,000 off assessed value). Illinois does offer a Senior Freeze Exemption (for those 65+ with income under $65,000), which limits assessed value increases, but property tax bills remain among the highest nationally. This is the single biggest financial burden for Illinois retirees who own homes.

How do property taxes compare between Illinois and Texas for retirees?

Illinois averages 1.88% (tied with New Jersey for highest in the US); Texas approximately 1.4%. On a $300,000 home: Illinois property tax ≈ $5,640/year; Texas ≈ $4,200/year — a difference of $1,440/year. On a $500,000 home: Illinois ≈ $9,400/year; Texas ≈ $7,000/year — a difference of $2,400/year. Texas has the Texas Homestead Exemption (reduces assessed value by $100,000 for the school district portion) and a senior freeze for homeowners 65+. Illinois has the Senior Freeze Exemption. On balance, Illinois retirees pay $1,440–$2,400 more per year in property tax than Texas retirees, depending on home value.

Should Illinois retirees move to Texas to save on taxes?

It depends on your income source. If your retirement income is primarily from an Illinois public pension and Social Security: you pay effectively zero Illinois income tax already. The Texas advantage on income tax doesn't apply. You'd be comparing Illinois property tax vs Texas property tax — and Texas is better, but the saving ($1,440–$2,400/year depending on home value) may not justify moving. If your income includes significant IRA or 401(k) withdrawals: Texas saves you 4.95% on those distributions, plus the property tax difference. At $150,000 in IRA withdrawals, that's $7,400 in income tax plus $1,440–$2,400 in property tax — a combined $8,840–$9,800/year saving that makes Texas compelling.

Does Illinois have an estate tax?

Yes. Illinois imposes a state estate tax of 0.8–16% on estates exceeding $4 million — one of only 12 states with a state estate tax. Texas has no estate or inheritance tax (Texas eliminated its estate tax in 2015). For estates under $4M, both states are equivalent. Above $4M, Texas offers significant advantages: a $5M estate pays approximately $40,000 in Illinois estate tax; a $10M estate pays approximately $480,000. This is a key consideration for Illinois homeowners and business owners with significant assets planning their estate.

Is the Illinois pension exemption at risk?

Illinois public pensions are protected by Article 13 Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution, which states pension benefits shall not be 'diminished or impaired.' This constitutional protection makes it very difficult for the legislature to tax public pension income, unlike in other states. However, Illinois's pension funding crisis (the state has one of the worst-funded public pension systems in the US) has led to ongoing political discussions. For current retirees, the income tax exemption on public pensions has strong constitutional protection. Changes affecting private sector IRA/401(k) taxation could more easily be modified.
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