STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
Illinois vs California taxes in 2026
Illinois taxes income at a flat 4.95%, while California taxes it at graduated rates from 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million. For single filers, take-home pay is higher in California up to $75,000 and higher in Illinois from $100,000 up, by $6,631 at $250,000. For a married couple with two children, take-home pay is higher in California up to $150,000 and higher in Illinois at $250,000, by $1,694.
Your estimate
- You keep more in California
- $902.59 a year
- Illinois income tax
- $3,567.71
- California income tax
- $2,665.12
- Take-home in Illinois
- $58,024.79
- Take-home in California
- $58,927.38
Take-home pay in Illinois and California
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| Illinois | California | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $1,357 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $2,330 | $973 |
| Take-home pay | $40,025 | $41,382 |
| $75,000 in wages: $903 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $3,568 | $2,665 |
| Take-home pay | $58,025 | $58,927 |
| $100,000 in wages: $106 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $4,805 | $4,911 |
| Take-home pay | $74,375 | $74,269 |
| $150,000 in wages: $2,281 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $7,280 | $9,561 |
| Take-home pay | $106,511 | $104,230 |
| $250,000 in wages: $6,631 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $12,230 | $18,861 |
| Take-home pay | $170,952 | $164,321 |
| Illinois | California | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $1,896 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $1,896 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $46,899 | $48,795 |
| $75,000 in wages: $3,133 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $3,133 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $65,889 | $69,023 |
| $100,000 in wages: $3,407 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $4,371 | $964 |
| Take-home pay | $84,739 | $88,146 |
| $150,000 in wages: $2,498 more take-home in California | ||
| State income tax | $6,846 | $4,348 |
| Take-home pay | $120,739 | $123,237 |
| $250,000 in wages: $1,694 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $11,796 | $13,490 |
| Take-home pay | $190,072 | $188,378 |
Rates and deductions
| Illinois | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 4.95% flat | 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million |
| Standard deduction | None | $5,900 single, $11,800 joint |
| Personal exemption | $2,925 single, $5,850 joint, none above $250,000 of income ($500,000 joint) | $158 single, $316 joint (credit), shrinking above $252,203 of income ($504,411 joint) |
Retirement and Social Security
Does Illinois tax Social Security?
No. Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits.
Illinois Social Security tax rules
Does Illinois tax retirement income?
No. Illinois exempts pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, with no age, dollar or income limit.
Illinois retirement income tax for 2026
Does California tax Social Security?
No. California does not tax Social Security benefits.
California Social Security tax rules
Does California tax retirement income?
Yes. California taxes pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals at its regular rates, with no general retirement exclusion.