cigarette prices illinois 2025 What You’ll Actually Pay Today
Illinois Cigarette Prices 2025: What You’ll Actually Pay Today
Illinois smokers pay some of the highest cigarette prices in the Midwest – about $10.16 per pack as of 2023. This price tag exceeds the national average of $8 per pack by a lot and puts a real strain on people’s wallets. A person smoking a pack every day in Illinois spends roughly $3,710 yearly, while their Missouri neighbors pay only $2,230.
The price gap exists mainly because of state taxes. The federal tax stays at $1.01 per pack everywhere, but Illinois adds a state tax of $2.98 per pack. This amount towers over the national average of $1.97. Price differences between states tell an interesting story. Missouri’s smokers pay the least at $6.11 per pack, while New York tops the list at $11.96 – a $6 difference. Brand choices in Illinois add another layer to the cost equation. Premium cigarettes cost more than budget brands. Let’s explore what Illinois smokers will pay in 2025, what drives these prices, and how different brands and nearby states stack up.
How much are cigarettes in Illinois in 2025?
Smokers in Illinois continue to face steep costs for their cigarette purchases in 2025. The current price for a pack of cigarettes in Illinois stands at $10.16, making it one of the costliest states for tobacco products nationwide.
Average price per pack in Illinois
Smokers must prepare to spend over $10 for a standard pack of cigarettes at Illinois tobacco shops today. The $10.16 per pack price comes from high taxation and retail markup. In spite of that, prices can fluctuate based on your shopping location and brand preferences. Budget-conscious smokers might find some relief from these high in-store prices through online options like https://cheapcartoncigarettes.com/.
How Illinois compares to national average
Regular smokers face a substantial financial burden as Illinois cigarette prices exceed the national average:
- Illinois average: $10.16 per pack
- National average: $8.00 per pack
- Median US price: $7.93 per pack
Illinois ranks as the 9th most expensive state for cigarettes. Local smokers pay about 27% more than the average American smoker. States along the northern coasts and Great Lakes region typically show this pattern of higher cigarette prices.
Price range across cities in Illinois
Chicago leads the pack with its steep prices, while other Illinois cities show substantial price variations. The Windy City adds its own local tax of $1.18 per pack alongside Cook County’s hefty $3.00 county tax.
Chicago’s tax breakdown looks like this:
- State tax: $2.98
- County tax: $3.00
- City tax: $1.18
- Total tax: $7.16 per pack
Cook County’s Chicago area holds the difference of having the highest combined cigarette tax rate in the country. Smokers in Chicago pay substantially more than those in downstate areas where only state tax applies. Your Illinois location can add or subtract several dollars from your cigarette purchases.
What drives cigarette prices in Illinois?
The price you pay for cigarettes in Illinois comes from a complex mix of taxes and pricing strategies. Illinois stands as one of the most expensive states for smokers, and there are several reasons why.
State excise tax and sales tax
State taxation makes cigarettes so expensive in Illinois. The state raised its cigarette tax by $1.00 in July 2019, which brought the state excise tax to $2.98 per pack. This increase aimed to bring in about $159 million in revenue each year for the state’s capital infrastructure plan.
Local governments can add their own cigarette taxes too. People living in Cook County pay $3.00 per pack extra in county tax, and Chicago adds $1.18 per pack in city tax. Chicago smokers end up paying $7.16 per pack in combined taxes. These high taxes push many Chicago smokers to buy their cigarettes at https://cheapcartoncigarettes.com/ or from nearby states where taxes are lower.
Federal tax and MSA payments
A federal cigarette tax of $1.01 per pack applies everywhere in the country. Cigarette makers also pay large sums under the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Illinois got $804 million from tobacco manufacturers in 2023, with $258 million coming from its yearly MSA payment. These MSA payments came after lawsuits proved tobacco companies marketed to children and hid health risks.
Retail markup and brand pricing
Tobacco companies use clever pricing tactics when taxes go up. They might lower wholesale prices so retail prices don’t rise as much as the tax increase. This helps protect customers from feeling the full effect. Sometimes they raise prices more than the tax increase to keep their profits steady as fewer people smoke.
Premium brands like Marlboro cost more than budget options because of these pricing strategies. The taxes stay similar across brands, but final prices vary. Tobacco companies spent $7.25 billion in 2016 on price discounts to keep customers loyal as taxes kept rising.
Cigarette prices by brand in Illinois
The price you’ll pay at the register in Illinois depends a lot on your choice of cigarettes. Smokers in Illinois can pick from three distinct price tiers that come with big differences in cost.
Premium brands (e.g., Marlboro, Newport)
Illinois smokers pay more than the national average for premium cigarettes, and Chicago’s heavy taxes make it even pricier. A pack of Marlboro cigarettes in Chicago runs about $15.00, making it one of the most expensive options you can buy. Newport cigarettes also sit at the top end – Newport Box varieties cost around $12.90 per pack and Newport Non-Menthol goes for about $11.79. These decades-old brands focus on quality but you’ll pay extra for the name.
Mid-tier brands (e.g., Pall Mall, Maverick)
Smokers who want good quality without breaking the bank might like mid-tier brands. Pall Mall cigarettes cost between $8.91 and $10.84 per pack based on which type you choose. Maverick cigarettes usually sell for $10.29 per pack, though sales can bring that down to $7.49. These brands give you decent quality at prices that won’t empty your wallet.
Budget brands (e.g., Montego, Cheyenne)
Budget-smart Illinois smokers often pick discount brands to save money. Montego cigarettes go for about $4.80 per pack, and Cheyenne varieties cost around $4.22. You might not know these names as well as the premium ones, but they work just as well and cost nowhere near as much.
How brand choice affects your cost
Your choice of brand makes a huge difference to your wallet over time. Premium brands cost 20-30% more than mid-tier options, while budget brands can save you 50-70% compared to premium ones. To name just one example, see how a pack-a-day smoker could save over $3,700 each year by switching from Marlboro to Montego.
Smokers looking to cut costs while staying in Illinois should check out https://cheapcartoncigarettes.com/ where brands of all types are available at competitive prices.
How Illinois compares to other states
Image Source: Data Pandas
Cigarette prices show huge differences across the country. Illinois stands out as one of the priciest states for smokers nationwide.
Top 5 most expensive states
Smokers pay the most in these states:
- New York: $11.96 per pack
- Rhode Island: $11.71 per pack
- Connecticut: $11.60 per pack
- Massachusetts: $11.11 per pack
- Minnesota: $10.49 per pack
New York leads the pack as America’s priciest state for cigarettes. Pack-a-day smokers shell out about $4,365 yearly. Rhode Island and Connecticut both charge more than $11.50 per pack. The Northeast region gets really pricey for tobacco users.
Top 5 cheapest states
Smokers can save money in these states:
- Missouri: $6.11 per pack
- Georgia: $6.39 per pack
- North Dakota: $6.55 per pack
- North Carolina: $6.58 per pack
- Mississippi: $6.78 per pack
Missouri keeps the country’s lowest cigarette taxes at a mere $0.17 per pack. This makes it the most affordable state for smokers. Missouri smokers spend $1,670 yearly compared to Illinois residents who pay $3,710.
Where Illinois ranks in 2025
Illinois sits at 9th most expensive state with packs costing $10.16. This puts Illinois among the costliest states, with prices 27% above the national average of $8.00. Illinois residents looking to save money can check out https://cheapcartoncigarettes.com/ without leaving the state.
Regional pricing trends (Midwest vs. others)
Cigarette prices follow clear geographic patterns. Coastal states charge more than inland areas. The Northeast tops the expensive list with five states averaging over $11 per pack. Southern states cluster at the bottom, mostly under $7.
Illinois stands alone in the Midwest with much higher prices than its neighbors. Missouri charges $6.11 and Nebraska $6.84. Many Illinois residents, especially Chicagoans, cross borders to buy cigarettes. Chicago’s combined taxes hit a whopping $7.16 per pack.
Conclusion
Understanding how Illinois cigarette prices affect smokers
Illinois smokers pay way more than most Americans. The state ranks 9th nationwide with packs costing $10.16, mostly because of heavy taxes. Chicago’s smokers have it the worst – they pay a whopping $7.16 in combined taxes per pack, which tops the entire country.
The yearly numbers paint a clear picture. Smoking a pack daily in Illinois sets you back $3,710 annually. Missouri residents pay just $1,670. That’s $2,000 extra that could go into your retirement fund, emergency savings, or other basic needs.
All the same, smart shoppers can cut down these costs. Budget brands are a great way to save money – they cost 50-70% less than premium ones. On top of that, sites like cheapcartoncigarettes.com sell at good prices without making you drive to other states.
Your location in Illinois makes a huge difference to what you pay. Moving beyond Cook County saves you $3.00 in county taxes. Step outside Chicago’s city limits and you’ll save another $1.18 per pack. Then, where you live really changes how much smoking costs you long-term.
Cigarette prices will keep going up as new tax policies roll out. The best way to handle these costs is to stay up to date on pricing, know your brand options, and find the right places to buy.
FAQs
Q1. What is the average price of cigarettes in Illinois in 2025? The average price for a pack of cigarettes in Illinois is $10.16, making it the 9th most expensive state for cigarettes in the country.
Q2. How do cigarette prices in Illinois compare to the national average? Illinois cigarette prices are significantly higher than the national average. While the national average is around $8.00 per pack, Illinois smokers pay about 27% more at $10.16 per pack.
Q3. What factors contribute to the high cigarette prices in Illinois? The high prices are primarily due to state and local taxes. Illinois has a state excise tax of $2.98 per pack, and some areas like Chicago have additional local taxes, bringing the total tax in Chicago to $7.16 per pack.
Q4. How much can smokers save by choosing budget brands in Illinois? Smokers can save significantly by opting for budget brands. While premium brands like Marlboro can cost around $15 per pack in Chicago, budget options like Montego cigarettes cost approximately $4.80 per pack, potentially saving up to 50-70% compared to premium brands.
Q5. How do cigarette prices vary across different cities in Illinois? Cigarette prices can vary dramatically across Illinois cities. Chicago, for instance, has the highest prices due to additional county and city taxes. Moving outside of Cook County or Chicago city limits can result in substantial savings, as it removes the extra $3.00 county tax and $1.18 city tax per pack, respectively.