Updated September 2026. Each answer names its official source, so you can check it yourself.
See also: questions to answer before you choose where to buy
No personal income tax.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, Florida does not impose a personal income tax, so individuals have no state income tax return to file. Other taxes still apply, including property taxes and sales tax. Check the Department of Revenue's website for your situation.
Source: Florida Department of Revenue
It reduces the taxable value of the home you live in as your permanent residence.
According to the Florida Department of Revenue, an owner who makes the property their permanent residence may be eligible for a homestead exemption of up to $50,000. The first $25,000 applies to all property taxes, including school taxes, and the additional amount applies only to non-school taxes. The exemption also qualifies the home for the “Save Our Homes” limit on how fast its assessed value can rise. Your county property appraiser handles applications and deadlines.
Source: Florida Department of Revenue
Not as of today. A proposed amendment goes to voters on November 3, 2026.
According to the Florida Senate, the Legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment, CS/HJR 1-F (“Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes”), and filed it with the Secretary of State on June 16, 2026. It needs 60% voter approval. According to the Florida House staff analysis, it would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 from 2028. School taxes would remain. If approved, it takes effect January 1, 2027. Until then, current property tax law applies.
Sources: Florida Senate: CS/HJR 1-F, Florida House staff analysis
It depends on the flood zone, your loan and your insurer.
Sources: FEMA, Citizens Property Insurance, FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Get quotes on the specific property before you make an offer, not after.
Insurers look at the property itself: the roof's age and condition, wind protection features, the flood zone and the building's age. Ask the seller for any existing inspection reports, and ask your agent how insurance has affected recent sales nearby.
A structural inspection that Florida law requires for older condo buildings.
According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, residential condominium and cooperative buildings three or more habitable stories high must have a milestone inspection when they reach an age set by law, and must complete a structural integrity reserve study at least every 10 years. These reports must be provided to potential buyers, so ask for them before you commit.
A charge from a Community Development District, a special district that pays for community infrastructure.
According to Florida Statutes section 190.048, the contract for the first sale of a property in a district must include a bold disclosure that the district may levy taxes or assessments, in addition to county taxes. Ask for the current CDD amount on the property's tax bill before you buy.
Source: Florida Statutes 190.048
The state grades public schools each year.
According to the Florida Department of Education, the state calculates school grades each year from components that include student achievement, learning gains and graduation rates. Grades are published on the Department's website. Confirm the school assigned to a specific address with the school district.
It depends on what you compare: taxes, insurance, housing and wages all move differently.
Florida has no personal income tax, according to the Florida Department of Revenue, but property taxes, insurance and housing costs vary by area. Our Moving from New York and Moving from New Jersey pages compare published figures for each state, with their sources.
Moving from New York to Florida · Moving from New Jersey to Florida
Patricia Pires
REALTOR® · Coldwell Banker Realty, Coral Gables
The numbers first. The decision is yours.
I compare the areas you are considering side by side, so you walk into every conversation already informed.
A PERSONAL DESK, NOT A PORTAL
A neighborhood can feel like a good fit before the numbers have been read. Looking at how a market has behaved over time shows where it stands today, so the financial side of the decision is as clear as the personal one.
Let's find your place in Florida.