2026 State Take-Home Comparison
Illinois vs Iowa Take-Home Pay (2026)
Moving from Illinois to Iowa: paycheck difference after taxes
On a $75,000 salary, moving from Illinois to Iowa means earning $1,357 more per year after taxes — about $52 more per biweekly paycheck. Federal income tax and FICA stay the same; the difference comes from state tax.
What changes: State income tax. What stays the same: Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) are the same in every state for the same salary and filing status. Estimates based on $75,000 salary, single, biweekly. Use the calculator below for your numbers.
Illinois vs Iowa — Take-Home Pay Overview
Illinois uses a flat state income tax, while Iowa uses a flat state income tax.
For workers comparing the two states, that means Iowa generally leaves more paycheck income after withholding than Illinois under the same salary assumptions.
| Salary | Illinois Take-Home | Iowa Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $40,949 |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $59,237 |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $75,874 |
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $1,644 more per year in Iowa than in Illinois.
$100,000 Salary: Illinois vs Iowa
| Tax / Component | Illinois | Iowa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | same |
| State Income Tax | $4,950 | $3,306 | +$1,644 |
| Social Security | $6,200 | $6,200 | same |
| Medicare | $1,450 | $1,450 | same |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $75,874 | -$1,644 |
$100,000 — Rent affordability: Illinois vs Iowa
| Metric | Illinois | Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Net take-home / year | $74,230 | $75,874 |
| Net take-home / month | $6,186 | $6,323 |
| Median 1BR rent (HUD) | $750 | $700 |
| Rent as % of take-home | 12.1% ✓ | 11.1% ✓ |
Rent: HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025 · Spending: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2023
$75,000 Salary: Illinois vs Iowa
| Tax / Component | Illinois | Iowa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | $7,670 | $7,670 | same |
| State Income Tax | $3,713 | $2,356 | +$1,357 |
| Social Security | $4,650 | $4,650 | same |
| Medicare | $1,088 | $1,088 | same |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,880 | $59,237 | -$1,357 |
Take-Home Pay Comparison: Illinois vs Iowa
For a single filer at $100,000, Iowa puts $1,644 more per year in your pocket than Illinois — $137 per month.
| Annual Salary | Illinois | Iowa | Annual Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $39,880 | $40,949 | $-1,069 (Illinois) |
| $75,000 | $57,880 | $59,236.5 | $-1,356.5 (Illinois) |
| $100,000 | $74,230 | $75,874 | $-1,644 (Illinois) |
| $125,000 | $90,516 | $92,447.5 | $-1,931.5 (Illinois) |
| $150,000 | $106,366 | $108,585 | $-2,219 (Illinois) |
After subtracting median 1-bedroom rent, Iowa residents keep $64,474 per year vs $58,630 in Illinois. See full cost-adjusted ranking →
Calculate your exact Illinois vs Iowa take-home →Calculation assumptions
- Standard withholding per IRS Publication 15-T (2026)
- Social Security wage base: $184,500 (SSA 2026)
- No pre-tax deductions, no post-tax deductions
- Filing status: Single, one job
- Standard W-4 withholding (no additional withholding elections)
- Actual paycheck may differ based on employer setup, benefits, or W-4 elections
Calculate your take-home pay in each state:
Calculate your exact take-home pay
- Use the Illinois paycheck calculator →
- Use the Iowa paycheck calculator →
- Compare custom salaries interactively →