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Washington

Moderate tax burden · COL index 117

Wins 7 categories

VS

Illinois

High tax burden · COL index 92

Wins 5 categories

Washington has no state income tax. Illinois's top rate is 4.95%. Cost of living in Washington (index 117) runs 27% higher than Illinois (index 92). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Illinois averages 1.73% annually vs Washington's 0.84%. The median home in Washington costs $570K vs $275K in Illinois.

Washington
Illinois

Taxes

None
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
0.84%/yr
Property Tax Rate
1.73%/yr
9.38%
Sales Tax (avg)
8.82%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
No
Estate Tax
No
7%
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

117
COL Index (100=avg)
92
$570K
Median Home Price
$275K
$2,000/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,400/mo
$900/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

347
Violent Crime / 100K
413
3,187
Property Crime / 100K
1,666

Healthcare

#10 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#20 of 50
79.3 yrs
Life Expectancy
77.2 yrs
6.5%
Uninsured Rate
7.4%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#7 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#16 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$2,100/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,650/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$95/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$145/mo
$590/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$510/mo
#39 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#40 of 50

Social Policy

A
Gun Laws Grade
A
D+16.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+14.0

Category wins

7

Washington

5

Illinois

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People Also Ask

Why are people moving away from Washington state?

Is it cheaper to live in Washington, DC. or Chicago?

Overall cost of living in Washington, DC is 17.1% higher than in Chicago, IL. The average listing price for a home in Washington, DC is $1,085,511, which is 74.8% higher than Chicago, IL. The average cost of groceries in Washington, DC is 1.4% higher than Chicago, IL.

Why are so many people leaving the state of Illinois?

What is the best state to move to from Illinois?

Full Washington Profile →Full Illinois Profile →

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