A data-driven snapshot comparing property taxes, sales taxes, state income taxes, and school quality across both locations. Free preview — 4 key metrics.
| Metric | 📍 Chicago, IL | 🎯 Merrillville, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Rate | 1.80% | 1.10% |
| Sales Tax Rate | 10.25% | 7.00% |
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.95% | 4.45% |
Illinois imposes a flat 4.95% state income tax on all earners regardless of income bracket — one of only a handful of states with no graduated rate. Residents of Chicago pay the same percentage whether they earn $40,000 or $400,000.
Indiana counties layer their own local income tax on top of the state rate. In Merrillville's county, the combined burden can meaningfully exceed the headline 4.45% figure — something many relocators discover only after their first tax filing.
Property taxes are applied to assessed value, not market value. Illinois assesses residential property at roughly 33% of market value, Indiana at 100%, and Wisconsin assessment practices vary by municipality — which changes the real effective tax burden even when stated rates look similar.
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