Here’s How Much Income You’ll Need To “Be Rich” In Illinois

Let's take a minute and talk some cash. Or, if you'd rather, we can call it:

• Skrilla
• Moolah
• Frogskins
• Benjamins
• Smackers
• Clams
• Fins
• Cheese
• Scratch
• Cabbage
• Stacks
• Cheddar

Regardless, if you want to be considered rich, you're going to need a bunch of the stuff above.

However, being rich means different numbers, depending on where you live. With that in mind, let's get into what the numbers need to be if you want to be considered rich in Illinois.

When Most People Consider Being Rich, They Think Of Big Houses, Fancy Cars, And Doing What You Want Without Worrying About What It Costs

But how much income actually qualifies as rich in Illinois? The numbers may surprise you.

According to Visual Capitalist, to be in the top 10% of earners in Illinois, a household needs an income of about $215,000 per year. That puts you well above the state’s median household income of roughly $74,000, meaning a family making this amount earns nearly three times what a typical Illinois household brings in. In other words, the top ten percent may feel rich compared to most families in the state, but they’re still far from being ultra-wealthy.

The leap to the top 1% in Illinois is even more dramatic.

Illinois households need to earn around $780,000 a year to crack that elite level. And only a small fraction of those, roughly 30,000 households statewide, make $1 million or more annually, which is less than 1% of the state’s five million households. Most of these million-dollar earners live in the Chicago metro area, and work in finance, corporate leadership, specialized medicine, and other high-paying sectors.

What About Illinois' Bordering States?

For some perspective, let’s look in on our next-door neighbors:

• In Wisconsin, the top 10% begins around $258,000

• Indiana clocks in near $237,000

• Iowa is roughly $244,000

• Missouri sits around $243,000

These numbers from Visual Capitalist show that Illinois’ threshold to reach the top 10% is actually a bit lower than some neighbors, largely because the state has a wider income spread in the Chicago region and its high-earning suburbs.

It’s also worth noting that these figures measure income, not wealth. A household earning $780,000 annually might have hefty taxes, mortgages, or other expenses that keep them from feeling “rich.” Meanwhile, Illinois families with investments and savings can accumulate wealth and financial security even if their income doesn’t hit the top 1% mark.