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Talk to a Specialist →The real prize: Illinois property taxes
Illinois has among the highest property taxes in the nation — effective rates around 2% of home value, and well above that in many Chicago-area counties. This is what you escape. Nevada's effective property tax runs roughly a quarter to a third of Illinois's, and it's capped at 3% annual growth once you file the owner-occupancy form.
| Home value | Illinois property tax (~2%) | Nevada (~0.5–0.6%) | Annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | ~$8,000 | ~$2,200 | ~$5,800 |
| $600,000 | ~$12,000 | ~$3,300 | ~$8,700 |
Illinois rates vary widely by county; Nevada figure reflects typical effective rate on a resale with depreciated taxable value. Illustrative.
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The honest full picture
- Income tax: roughly a wash — both effectively $0 on retirement income.
- Property tax: big win for Nevada — this is the headline saving.
- Estate tax: win for Nevada for larger estates.
- Sales tax: similar — Illinois and Washoe County are both in the 8%+ range.
- Climate & distance: you trade harsh Midwest winters and humidity for dry high-desert four seasons — and a long move. Reno's winter is real but far milder and sunnier than Chicago's.
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We'll show where you actually save (property and estate, not income) so the decision is based on the real math.
Get Free Tax Math →Sources: Illinois Department of Revenue (4.95% flat; retirement income exempt); Illinois estate tax $4M exemption; Tax Foundation (IL effective property tax ~2%); Nevada Department of Taxation (no income/estate tax; capped property tax). Estimates illustrative; not tax advice. Verified 2026.