Side-by-side take-home pay
| Salary | Tennessee take-home | Tennessee biweekly | Illinois take-home | Illinois biweekly | Difference / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $42,355 | $1,629 | $40,025 | $1,539 | Tennessee +$2,330 |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | $2,369 | $58,025 | $2,232 | Tennessee +$3,568 |
| $100,000 | $79,180 | $3,045 | $74,375 | $2,861 | Tennessee +$4,805 |
| $150,000 | $113,791 | $4,377 | $106,511 | $4,097 | Tennessee +$7,280 |
Single filer, no pre-tax deductions, no local taxes, 2026 rules. See each state in detail: Tennessee paycheck calculator and Illinois paycheck calculator.
Where the tax difference comes from
| At $75,000 | Tennessee | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $7,670 | $7,670 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $5,738 | $5,738 |
| State income tax | $0 | $3,568 |
| State payroll programs (SDI, paid leave) | $0 | $0 |
| Total tax and deductions | $13,408 (17.9%) | $16,975 (22.6%) |
Federal income tax and FICA are the same everywhere, so the gap comes from state income tax and payroll programs. Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Illinois's state income tax is 4.95% flat. Payroll programs: Tennessee โ none; Illinois โ none.
Beyond the paycheck: sales tax, prices and minimum wage
| Tennessee | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Combined average sales tax | 9.61% | 8.98% |
| Price level (US = 100) | 91.9 | 100.0 |
| $75,000 take-home, cost-of-living adjusted | $67,043 | $58,049 |
| Minimum wage (July 2026) | $7.25 | $15.00 |
Take-home pay is only part of the picture: housing, sales and property taxes can outweigh an income-tax saving. For the 50-state view, see the 2026 take-home pay study and all states ranked.
Frequently asked questions
Is take-home pay higher in Tennessee or Illinois?
On a $75,000 salary, a single filer keeps $3,568 more a year in Tennessee than in Illinois โ $61,593 in Tennessee versus $58,025 in Illinois (2026).
How much more do you keep at $150,000 in Tennessee?
At $150,000, a single filer keeps $7,280 more a year in Tennessee: $113,791 in Tennessee versus $106,511 in Illinois.
Does Tennessee or Illinois have a state income tax?
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Illinois's state income tax is 4.95% flat.
What are the sales taxes in Tennessee and Illinois?
Combined average sales tax (state plus average local) is 9.61% in Tennessee and 8.98% in Illinois (Tax Foundation, July 2026). A lower income tax can be offset by higher sales or property taxes.
After cost of living, where does a $75,000 salary go further?
Dividing take-home pay by each state's price level (BEA regional price parity, 2024), a $75,000 salary has the purchasing power of $67,043 in Tennessee and $58,049 in Illinois, so it goes further in Tennessee.
What are the minimum wages in Tennessee and Illinois?
Tennessee: $7.25 an hour. Illinois: $15.00 an hour (rates as of July 1, 2026; some cities set higher local rates).
Sources & methodology
- Illinois DOR โ 2026 IL-700-T (4.95%, $2,925 exemption)
- Tax Foundation โ State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (as of July 1, 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis โ Regional Price Parities by State
- IRS โ Publication 15-T (2026)
Estimates for information only, not tax advice. See our methodology and disclaimer.