🗽 New York vs Florida Tax Comparison 2025

The most popular retirement and relocation move in America

The Big Picture

🗽 New York

10.9%

3rd Highest in Nation

8 progressive brackets
4% - 10.9%
+NYC tax: 3.078%-3.876%

🏖️ Florida

0%

No State Income Tax

Constitutional prohibition
since 1924

💰 Typical Annual Savings

At $100,000 income:

$6,188

That's $515/month back in your pocket!

*NYC residents save even more: up to $10,064/year

Calculate Your Personal Savings

Your Tax Comparison

New York

Income: $0

State Tax: $0

Take Home: $0

Florida

Income: $0

State Tax: $0

Take Home: $0

🎉 Your Annual Tax Savings in Florida

$0

Tax Savings by Income Level

New York State (outside NYC)

Income NY State Tax FL State Tax Annual Savings 10-Year Savings
$50,000 $2,429 $0 $2,429 $24,290
$75,000 $4,308 $0 $4,308 $43,080
$100,000 $6,188 $0 $6,188 $61,880
$150,000 $9,948 $0 $9,948 $99,480
$250,000 $17,948 $0 $17,948 $179,480

New York City Residents (State + City Tax)

Income Total NY Tax FL State Tax Annual Savings 10-Year Savings
$50,000 $3,702 $0 $3,702 $37,020
$75,000 $6,258 $0 $6,258 $62,580
$100,000 $10,064 $0 $10,064 $100,640
$150,000 $15,764 $0 $15,764 $157,640
$250,000 $27,640 $0 $27,640 $276,400

New York Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • World-class culture (museums, Broadway, art)
  • Finance capital of the world (Wall Street)
  • Best public transportation in US
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Amazing food scene
  • Top universities (Columbia, NYU, Cornell)
  • Career opportunities in every field

❌ Cons

  • High state tax (10.9% top rate)
  • NYC adds 3.078%-3.876% more
  • Extremely high cost of living
  • Housing crisis (median $450k)
  • Brutal winters
  • High property taxes
  • Crowded, stressful pace

Florida Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • 0% state income tax
  • No estate/inheritance tax
  • Warm weather year-round
  • Beautiful beaches everywhere
  • Lower cost of living (30-40% cheaper)
  • Homestead exemption (property tax relief)
  • Growing job market (especially remote work)

❌ Cons

  • Hurricane risk (June-November)
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Limited public transportation
  • Higher insurance costs (home, flood, car)
  • Sales tax can be high (6%-7.5%)
  • Less cultural offerings (outside Miami/Tampa)
  • Climate change concerns (sea level rise)

The Retirement Migration

Why Retirees Love Florida

  • No tax on retirement income: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) withdrawals - all tax-free in FL
  • No estate tax: Leave more to your heirs
  • Homestead exemption: Up to $50k off property value for tax purposes
  • Senior exemptions: Additional property tax breaks for 65+
  • Weather: No more shoveling snow!

⚠️ Real Retirement Example

Scenario: 65-year-old couple with $80k annual retirement income

  • NY state tax: ~$4,200/year
  • FL state tax: $0/year
  • Annual savings: $4,200
  • 20-year retirement savings: $84,000

Plus: Lower housing costs, no estate tax, and homestead exemption can save another $10k-20k/year total!

Cost of Living Comparison

🏠 Housing Comparison

Manhattan 2BR: ~$5,000/month

Miami 2BR: ~$2,500/month

Savings: $2,500/month ($30,000/year)


Median Home Price:

  • New York: $450,000 (NYC metro)
  • Florida: $400,000 (statewide average)
  • Tampa/Orlando: $350,000

🏡 Property Taxes

New York: ~1.7% of home value (among highest in nation)

Florida: ~0.98% of home value (WITH homestead exemption)

On $400k home:

  • New York: $6,800/year
  • Florida: $3,920/year (with homestead)
  • Savings: $2,880/year

💰 Total Savings Example (at $100k income)

  • State income tax savings: $6,188/year
  • Housing cost savings: $15,000/year (typical)
  • Property tax savings: $2,880/year
  • Total potential savings: $24,068/year

When Moving to Florida Makes Sense

✅ Move to Florida if you:

  • Are retired or near retirement
  • Work remotely (keep NY salary, pay $0 FL tax)
  • Earn $75k+ (bigger tax savings)
  • Hate cold winters
  • Want to be near beaches/water
  • Value lower cost of living
  • Are starting a business (better tax environment)

⚠️ Stay in New York if you:

  • Work in finance/media (need to be in NYC)
  • Have established career in specialized field
  • Strong family/social ties
  • Love culture, theater, museums
  • Depend on public transportation
  • Can't handle heat and humidity
  • Earn under $50k (tax savings are smaller)

Best Florida Cities for NY Transplants

🌴 Miami

Best for: Young professionals, culture seekers, Latin American ties

Vibe: Cosmopolitan, nightlife, international

Cost: Most expensive in FL but still 40% cheaper than NYC

⚡ Tampa

Best for: Families, retirees, balanced lifestyle

Vibe: Growing city, job market, affordable

Cost: 50% cheaper than NYC

🏰 Orlando

Best for: Families, entertainment, tourism jobs

Vibe: Suburban, theme parks, family-friendly

Cost: Very affordable, great value

🎓 Jacksonville

Best for: Affordability, space, beach access

Vibe: Laid-back, Southern charm, growing

Cost: Most affordable major FL city

🔥 Popular Areas for NY Retirees:

  • Boca Raton: Upscale, large NY community, active adult lifestyle
  • West Palm Beach: Culture, dining, year-round activities
  • Naples: Quiet, wealthy, pristine beaches
  • Sarasota: Arts, culture, excellent healthcare
  • The Villages: World's largest retirement community

How to Establish Florida Residency

⚠️ Important: NY Will Come After You!

New York aggressively audits people who claim to have moved to Florida. You MUST prove you've truly relocated, not just claiming FL residency to avoid taxes.

Steps to Establish FL Residency (and avoid NY audit):

  1. Buy or rent a home in FL (must be your primary residence)
  2. Spend 184+ days/year in FL (track carefully!)
  3. Get FL driver's license within 30 days
  4. Register vehicles in FL
  5. Register to vote in FL
  6. File Declaration of Domicile with FL county clerk
  7. Get FL homestead exemption (if you own)
  8. Move bank accounts to FL institutions
  9. Update all addresses: USPS, credit cards, subscriptions
  10. File final NY tax return (part-year resident)
  11. Keep calendar/records proving FL is your home

🚨 Things That Will Trigger a NY Audit:

  • Still spending most nights in NY
  • Keep NY gym membership, country club
  • Kids still in NY schools
  • Doctor appointments mostly in NY
  • NY address on credit cards
  • Claim FL residency but clearly live in NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will I really save?

A: At $100k income, you'll save $6,188/year on NY state tax alone. NYC residents save $10,064/year (state + city tax). Plus lower housing costs can save $15k-30k/year.

Q: Can I keep my NY job and just work remotely from FL?

A: Yes! Many companies now allow this. You'll pay $0 FL state tax on your income. Make sure to properly establish FL residency (see above). NY may try to tax "convenience of employer" income if you work remotely by choice.

Q: What about federal taxes?

A: Federal taxes are the same in both states. This comparison focuses on state income tax only.

Q: Will NY audit me?

A: Possibly, especially if you're high-income. NY audits ~1,000 domicile cases per year. Follow the residency steps above carefully, keep detailed records, and consider consulting a tax attorney.

Q: What about Social Security and pensions?

A: NY taxes these (partially exempt). FL does NOT tax them at all. This is HUGE for retirees!

Q: Is Florida really cheaper, or do other costs offset the tax savings?

A: FL is genuinely cheaper overall. Yes, you'll pay more for insurance (home, flood, car) and sales tax is comparable. But housing costs are SO much lower (30-50%) that most people still save $10k-25k/year total.

Q: What's the catch?

A: Hurricane risk, hot/humid summers, no real public transit, and you lose NY's culture/energy. It's a lifestyle trade-off, not a pure financial win.

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