Illinois vs Ohio

Side-by-side cost of living, income, housing and population. Calculator, charts and shareable results — official Census data.

Population, income, rent, home value and age for 2026. Shareable URL updates automatically.

Keep Your Standard — How Much There?

If you earn — in State A, what do you need in State B?

Need in State B
—
Difference
—
Verdict
—
Best Value — Most Affordable States
MS
Mississippi
~$52k income, $748 rent
Cheapest
WV
West Virginia
~$57k, $658 rent
Cheapest
AR
Arkansas
~$58k, $765 rent
Cheapest
AL
Alabama
~$62k, $846 rent
Cheapest

Lowest median home & rent, adjusted for income.

Population
Income & Housing
MetricIllinoisOhioDifference (A−B)
Population
All residents
 12,692,653 HIGHER 11,780,046 +912,607 (+7.7%)
Higher: Illinois
Median Income
Household
 $81,702 HIGHER $69,680 +$12,022 (+17.3%)
Higher: Illinois
Median Rent
Gross rent
 $1,227 HIGHER $988 +$239 (+24.2%)
Higher: Illinois
Median Home Value
Owner-occupied
 $250,500 HIGHER $199,200 +$51,300 (+25.8%)
Higher: Illinois
Median Age
Years
 38.9 39.6 HIGHER 1 (-1.8%)
Higher: Ohio
Living in Illinois: Chicago paychecks, heavy property taxes

Illinois is essentially two economies: Chicago, a global hub for finance, trading, logistics and professional services, and a downstate mix of manufacturing and agriculture. Chicago salaries compete nationally, which is why the metro keeps drawing ambitious workers.

The offset is brutal property taxes, among the highest effective rates in the country, plus state budget pressures that worry homeowners. City rents are reasonable for a global city, but ownership math demands care. Illinois rewards high earners who rent strategically or buy in stable suburbs.

Full Illinois profile →
Living in Ohio: three metros, manufacturing and low bar to entry

Ohio spreads opportunity across Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati — insurance, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and growing tech — without any single dominant industry. Columbus in particular has quietly become a Midwest growth story.

Housing is affordable in all three metros by national standards, and taxes sit in the middle range. Incomes are average, so the pitch is access: real cities, real jobs, buyable homes. Ohio fits first-time buyers and steady professionals better than almost anywhere.

Full Ohio profile →
Verdict: Illinois vs Ohio
  • Illinois earns more (median $81,702 vs $69,680).
  • Ohio rents cheaper (median $988 vs $1,227).
  • Ohio buys cheaper (median home $199,200 vs $250,500).
  • Ohio takes it 2-1 across income, rent and home prices.
  • The widest gap is Median home value: Illinois at $250,500 vs Ohio at $199,200.
View Illinois → View Ohio →

Frequently asked questions

What data does this page show?

Compare cost of living, salaries, housing, rent, taxes and population between Illinois and Ohio. Calculator, charts and side-by-side table — official Census data.

Illinois or Ohio — which is cheaper?

Compare housing, rent, taxes and pay row by row in the table above.

What matters most when moving?

Housing cost first, then take-home pay after taxes, then rent and daily costs.

How current are the figures?

All figures reflect 2026 and update automatically from official sources.

Where do the numbers come from?

All figures are compiled from official U.S. government public data and refreshed automatically. LifeIndexData is 100% free to use and fully independent: we are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or compensated by any bank, lender or financial institution, and advertising never influences our data or rankings.

How do I cite this page?

LifeIndexData. "Illinois vs Ohio — Cost of Living Comparison (2026)" (2026). https://lifeindexdata.com/usa/compare/illinois/ohio/

Is this financial advice?

No. All data is informational only — see our Disclaimer before making decisions.