Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Illinois to Texas
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 has the highest effective property tax rate in the United States at approximately 2.2%. On a $300,000 home in the Chicago suburbs, property tax bills of $7,000–$10,000/year are common. Texas averages approximately 1.6% — lower than Illinois, but still one of the highest rates nationally. On a $300,000 Texas home, the property tax runs about $4,800/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.
Pensions & SS Exempt — But Property Taxes
4.95% flat rate; Social Security exempt; most pension income exempt; IRA/401(k) withdrawals taxed; property taxes among highest in the US
No State Income Tax
Zero state income tax; no tax on any retirement income; high property taxes
At $100,000 income:
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 ~2.2% vs TX ~1.6%). Verify your specific income source before comparing.
| 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 property taxes fund local governments and schools with minimal state support. The state has the highest effective property tax rate in the US at approximately 2.2%. 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.
Illinois averages approximately 2.2%; Texas approximately 1.6%. On a $300,000 home: Illinois property tax ≈ $6,600/year; Texas ≈ $4,800/year — a difference of $1,800/year. On a $500,000 home: Illinois ≈ $11,000/year; Texas ≈ $8,000/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 $1,500–$3,000 more per year in property tax than Texas retirees, depending on home value.
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 ($1,500–$2,500/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 $1,500–$2,500 in property tax — a combined $9,000/year saving that makes Texas compelling.
No. Illinois abolished its state estate tax in recent years and there is no Illinois inheritance tax. Both Illinois and Texas follow the federal estate tax threshold. For estate planning purposes, both states are equivalent — neither imposes additional state-level taxes on wealth transferred at death.
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.