Florida vs Illinois
Registering a new $35,000 vehicle costs about $2,498 in Florida versus $3,291 in Illinois — a $793 first-year advantage for Florida.
Cost comparison
| Florida | Illinois | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-year total All-in cost to register a new $35,000 gas vehicle for the first time, including sales tax, title, and registration. | $2,498 | $3,291 | −$793 |
| Annual renewal (year 2+) Recurring annual cost after the first year — what you actually pay every year you own the car. | $46 | $151 | −$105 |
| Sales tax (one-time) Sales/use/excise tax owed at purchase on a $35,000 vehicle, using typical local rates. | $2,150 | $2,975 | −$825 |
| Combined sales tax rate State rate plus typical local rate (where applicable). | 7.00% | 8.50% | −1.50 pp |
| EV first-year total Same $35K scenario but as a battery electric vehicle, capturing EV-specific surcharges. | $2,498 | $3,391 | −$893 |
| EV annual renewal Recurring EV-ownership cost in year 2+. | $46 | $251 | −$205 |
| EV surcharge Annual EV-specific registration fee (zero in states without one). | None | $100 | −$100 |
How each state structures it
Florida
Florida has a distinctive registration cost shape: relatively modest annual fees (a $35,000 sedan pays about $46/year to renew), but a substantial $225 one-time Initial Registration Fee for anyone titling a vehicle in Florida for the first time, including new residents. The state's 6% sales tax is straightforward, but Florida cleverly caps the local county surtax to apply only to the first $5,000 of the purchase price — meaning the local surcharge on a $35,000 car maxes out at about $50 regardless of county. Florida is also one of only a handful of states that does NOT charge an EV registration surcharge, though legislative attempts to add one are frequent. A new $35,000 vehicle in a typical 1%-surtax county runs about $2,500 first-year (including sales tax and the $225 initial registration), with annual renewals around $46.
Illinois
Illinois has one of the highest base passenger registration fees in the country at $151/year, with a similarly high one-time title fee of $165. Combined with sales tax that can hit 10%+ in the Chicago metro area, Illinois is among the most expensive states for vehicle ownership. The state sales tax is 6.25%, but local additions can push combined rates much higher — Cook County and Chicago add roughly 3% combined, putting central Chicago at 9.5-10.25%. Illinois restored full trade-in credit on vehicle sales tax in January 2022 after a brief period (2020-2021) when trade-in credit was capped at $10,000. Electric vehicles pay an additional $100/year surcharge, bringing the BEV registration to $251/year. A new $35,000 vehicle in a 1%-local-rate county runs about $2,850-2,900 in first-year costs; in central Chicago that climbs to $3,900+.
What this means for you
- Buying a new car: Florida is roughly $793 cheaper than Illinois in the first year on a $35K vehicle, driven mostly by sales tax and one-time fees.
- Annual renewal: Florida is cheaper to renew annually by about $105/year. Over a 5-year ownership period that's roughly $527 in renewal-fee savings alone.
- If you drive an EV: Florida has no EV surcharge while Illinois adds $100/year — a meaningful long-term cost advantage for Florida EV owners.
- Structural differences: Neither state imposes an annual ad valorem vehicle property tax, so renewal costs stay relatively flat after the first year for both.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to register a car in Florida or Illinois?
Florida is cheaper to register a new $35,000 vehicle: $2,498 first year vs $3,291 in Illinois, and the gap continues into annual renewals.
What is the sales tax difference between Florida and Illinois?
Florida charges 7.00% combined sales tax on vehicles; Illinois charges 8.50%. On a $35,000 purchase that's $2,150 in Florida vs $2,975 in Illinois.
Do Florida and Illinois both charge EV registration fees?
Florida: no EV surcharge. Illinois: $100/year EV surcharge. EV fees are added on top of standard registration costs.
Official sources: FLHSMV • Illinois Secretary of State
Data last updated: 2026-05-23