its an apples to oranges comparison. It needs to break out large cities like chicago, NY etc which have high cost of living v peroia, springfield, quad cities etc. Texas, CA, Illinois, NY and FL are comporables to each other population/large city wise. but interesting, its basically a cost of living chart
Eh, people don’t live in an entire state. They live in a part of a state, and most people spend their money close to home. So this map - https://files.taxfoundation.org/legacy/docs/%24100%20Map-metro.png - is a lot more relevant, and it shows that the dollar stretches pretty far everywhere except in the Chicago area. Where you get the benefit of living in the Chicago area.
anony because our neighbors are very small population wise they di not have major international cities like chicago
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
I don’t think the comparison is between IL and MO. As noted above I think the proper comparison is more so between Chicago v. NYC, LA, and DC. And between those areas this map appears to show better bang for your buck here in IL and Chicago.
Yes, it appears that the dollar goes further in areas that are more rural or less dense in population, which isn’t that surprising. You can buy a lot more house in, say, Charleston, Ill., than Naperville.
But Illinois has higher median household and individual incomes that some states. Therefore, Illinoisans may have more of those $100 bills to spend that people in some other states.
To be fair; smokers, and now soda drinkers, just cross state lines anyway… stinks for the border C-stores that are going out of business, but that’s their (and their employees’) problem.
And on a broader level, Illinois has the 5th largest gross domestic product per capita of the 50 states, so that should transfer into a lot of extra $100 bills for Illinoisans to spend. Unfortunately I’m guessing though that a lot of that GNP money doesn’t trickle down to the middle and lower classes to have to spend.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Observation based on very littlle Lincoln land has 2 things they dont; A realy big city Chicago and strong unions not found in most of those surrounding states.
Comparing Illinois and its neighboring states, Illinois has the highest Gross Domestic Product and Median Family income. It’s the only state in this group that is above the USA average for those measures. Again, this mostly reflects the economic weight of Chicago.
Roughly a population map. I know that population is also related to a state being red or blue, roughly, so maybe it means more than I think, but mostly it says living in urban areas is expensive. And thanks to Reality check for the more detailed map.
- Signal and Noise - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
This would more accurately represent the difference between Chicagoland and our neighbors. I used to live in Springfield. It was the most affordable place I’ve ever lived.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
Indianapolis and Springfield have comparable costs. Chicago is 20-25% higher.
The State pays the same wages in Chicago and Springfield. I could usually hire better people in Springfield than Chicago for the same position and wage.
Ugh. This again. Does the tax foundation reside in one of these red states? If not, they need to relocate there asap. If not, I would love to hear their reasons why.
==Does the tax foundation reside in one of these red states? If not, they need to relocate there asap. If not, I would love to hear their reasons why.==
And I will also note that everyone’s favorite state on this blog - Minnesota - ranks 7 spots better than IL despite a much higher progressive state income tax.
- Chris Chicagoan - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:46 pm:
It would be a good idea to research The Tax Foundation. And does Illinois want to be more like Alabama, Kentucky or Mississippi?
- Anony - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
It would be good to know why Illinois is different than its neighbors in this regard…
Is this the chicken or the egg?
- Ghost - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:21 pm:
its an apples to oranges comparison. It needs to break out large cities like chicago, NY etc which have high cost of living v peroia, springfield, quad cities etc. Texas, CA, Illinois, NY and FL are comporables to each other population/large city wise. but interesting, its basically a cost of living chart
- Reality Check - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:21 pm:
Eh, people don’t live in an entire state. They live in a part of a state, and most people spend their money close to home. So this map - https://files.taxfoundation.org/legacy/docs/%24100%20Map-metro.png - is a lot more relevant, and it shows that the dollar stretches pretty far everywhere except in the Chicago area. Where you get the benefit of living in the Chicago area.
- Ghost - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:22 pm:
anony because our neighbors are very small population wise
they di not have major international cities like chicago
- Boone's is Back - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
I don’t think the comparison is between IL and MO. As noted above I think the proper comparison is more so between Chicago v. NYC, LA, and DC. And between those areas this map appears to show better bang for your buck here in IL and Chicago.
- Greatplainser - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:25 pm:
Would love to see county numbers if possible for Illinois.
- Reality Check - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
@Greatplainser, that’s the county map linked in my comment at 2:21.
- Fat Tony - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
Yes, it appears that the dollar goes further in areas that are more rural or less dense in population, which isn’t that surprising. You can buy a lot more house in, say, Charleston, Ill., than Naperville.
- thunderspirit - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
Thanks for the additional link, Reality Check.
- GOP Extremist - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
Not surprisingly, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi rank 47th, 49th and 50th respectively in median household income rankings. Race to the bottom.
- Robert the 1st - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
=v peroia, springfield, quad cities etc=
Property taxes on a $150k house in Springfield IL are higher than a $250k house in O Fallon, 3rd largest city in MO.
- Joe M - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:36 pm:
But Illinois has higher median household and individual incomes that some states. Therefore, Illinoisans may have more of those $100 bills to spend that people in some other states.
- wondering - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:44 pm:
Let’s talk. According to city data
$100 in Chicago would be worth $137 in Streator, Il Have you ever been to Streator?
- Robert the 1st - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:44 pm:
To be fair; smokers, and now soda drinkers, just cross state lines anyway… stinks for the border C-stores that are going out of business, but that’s their (and their employees’) problem.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Notice the gold is where people actually like to be.
- Huh? - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Meh. The maps shows larger population centers have higher costs of living. So what else is new.
- Blue Bayou - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
You mean the Koch-funded and chaired Tax Foundation?
Oh, goody.
Also, if a hundred bucks goes really far in your state it’s most likely a dump.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
“Illinois is surrounded by states where money simply goes further…”
But, apparently there isn’t anything to buy in the pink states. Demand is where the gold is…
- Joe M - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
And on a broader level, Illinois has the 5th largest gross domestic product per capita of the 50 states, so that should transfer into a lot of extra $100 bills for Illinoisans to spend. Unfortunately I’m guessing though that a lot of that GNP money doesn’t trickle down to the middle and lower classes to have to spend.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Observation based on very littlle Lincoln land has 2 things they dont; A realy big city Chicago and strong unions not found in most of those surrounding states.
- IllinoisBoi - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 2:59 pm:
Comparing Illinois and its neighboring states, Illinois has the highest Gross Domestic Product and Median Family income. It’s the only state in this group that is above the USA average for those measures. Again, this mostly reflects the economic weight of Chicago.
GDP per capita (2016)
Illinois 54k
Iowa 50k
Wisconsin 47k
Indiana 45k
Missouri 43k
Iowa 50k
Kentucky 39k
USA 51k
Median Family Income (2015)
Illinois 60k
Wisconsin 56k
Iowa 55k
Indiana 50k
Missouri 50k
Kentucky 45k
USA 56k
(Rounded figures — from Wikipedia)
- Perrid - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
Roughly a population map. I know that population is also related to a state being red or blue, roughly, so maybe it means more than I think, but mostly it says living in urban areas is expensive. And thanks to Reality check for the more detailed map.
- Signal and Noise - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
This would more accurately represent the difference between Chicagoland and our neighbors. I used to live in Springfield. It was the most affordable place I’ve ever lived.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
Indianapolis and Springfield have comparable costs. Chicago is 20-25% higher.
The State pays the same wages in Chicago and Springfield. I could usually hire better people in Springfield than Chicago for the same position and wage.
- $100 - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
Ugh. This again. Does the tax foundation reside in one of these red states? If not, they need to relocate there asap. If not, I would love to hear their reasons why.
- Goofy - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
This chart confirms, what, that the Tax Foundation folks are Masters of the Obvious? Waste of time and effort.
- Northsider - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 3:26 pm:
Does this map happen to coincide with states that are “right to work” vs. union?
- Watson - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:03 pm:
And the higher crime and poverty rates….
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:40 pm:
==Does the tax foundation reside in one of these red states? If not, they need to relocate there asap. If not, I would love to hear their reasons why.==
According to their website:
1325 G St NW
Suite 950
Washington, DC 20005
- City Zen - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:40 pm:
==I think the proper comparison is more so between Chicago v. NYC, LA, and DC.==
I would nix NYC in any Chicago comparison. They are on a whole other level.
==Comparing Illinois and its neighboring states, Illinois has the highest Gross Domestic Product==
But comparing other states with similar GDP’s as Illinois:
FL 35th
IL 36th
OH 7th
PA 30th
What makes Ohio such an outlier?
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:41 pm:
Oops. Anonymous @ 4:40 was me.
- City Zen - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:41 pm:
And I will also note that everyone’s favorite state on this blog - Minnesota - ranks 7 spots better than IL despite a much higher progressive state income tax.
- Chris Chicagoan - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:46 pm:
It would be a good idea to research The Tax Foundation. And does Illinois want to be more like Alabama, Kentucky or Mississippi?
- Chicago 20 - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 4:51 pm:
Makes you wonder why the Koch brothers, a couple of guys from Kansas spend so much of their money in Washington D.C..
I guess they just can’t buy everything that they want in Kansas.
- City Zen - Thursday, Aug 3, 17 @ 11:13 pm:
==And does Illinois want to be more like Alabama, Kentucky or Mississippi?==
According to this map, we’re already like Delaware and Rhode Island.