Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Ohio to Florida
Ohio-to-Florida is one of the highest-volume retirement migration routes in the country. Ohio's income tax is more modest than many states — the top rate is 3.5%, and the first $26,050 of income is tax-free. Social Security is fully exempt from Ohio state tax. After those provisions, Ohio retirees with $100,000 in non-Social Security income pay approximately $2,035 in state income tax. Florida charges nothing. But Ohio's real tax burden on retirees often goes beyond the state rate. Ohio has city income taxes — Columbus charges 2.5%, Cleveland 2.5%, Cincinnati 1.8%, and Akron 2.5%. These city taxes apply in retirement on all taxable income, meaning a Columbus retiree with $100,000 in pension and IRA income could pay $2,035 (state) + $2,500 (city) = $4,535 total vs Florida's $0. Ohio has no estate tax, matching Florida. Ohio retirees also benefit from lower property insurance costs than coastal Florida. The financial case for moving from Ohio to Florida is strongest for retirees living in taxed Ohio cities — their effective combined rate can reach 5-6%, and moving to Florida eliminates it entirely.
SS Exempt, First $26K Tax-Free
0% under $26K, 2.75% to $100K, 3.5% above; Social Security exempt; city taxes apply in many areas
No Income Tax
Zero state income tax on all retirement income sources
At $100,000 income:
Florida saves approximately $2,035/year in Ohio state tax at $100K retirement income (excluding Social Security). Add Ohio city taxes — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati residents may pay an additional $1,800–$2,500/year on top. Total Ohio (state + city) at $100K can reach $4,000–$4,500 vs Florida $0.
| Income | OH Tax | FL Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 retirement | ~$660 state only | $0 | FL saves ~$660/yr (state only) | $6,600 |
| $75,000 retirement | ~$1,348 state only | $0 | FL saves ~$1,348/yr (state only) | $13,480 |
| $100,000 retirement | ~$2,035 state only | $0 | FL saves ~$2,035/yr (state only) | $20,350 |
| $150,000 retirement | ~$3,785 state only | $0 | FL saves ~$3,785/yr (state only) | $37,850 |
| $250,000 retirement | ~$8,185 state only | $0 | FL saves ~$8,185/yr (state only) | $81,850 |
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Moving from Ohio to Florida involves part-year returns in both states, city tax final filings, and retirement income strategy. Taxhub matches you with a CPA who handles these moves every day. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
Get Matched With a Retirement Tax CPA →No. Ohio fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax. For retirees with income primarily from Social Security, Ohio and Florida are nearly equal on state tax. Ohio's income tax applies to pension distributions, traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, and RMDs. After the $26,050 tax-free threshold, the state rate is 2.75% up to $100,000 and 3.5% above $100,000.
Yes, Ohio's city income taxes apply to retirement income just as they do to wage income. The rates: Columbus 2.5%, Cleveland 2.5%, Cincinnati 1.8%, Akron 2.5%, Toledo 2.25%, Dayton 2.25%. If you live in Columbus and have $100,000 in pension and IRA income, you pay approximately $2,035 in Ohio state tax plus $2,500 in Columbus city tax — a combined $4,535. Moving to a rural Ohio township without a city income tax reduces the burden to just the $2,035 state portion. Florida has neither state nor city income taxes.
At the state level only: approximately $660/year at $50K income, $1,348/year at $75K, and $2,035/year at $100K. If you currently live in a major Ohio city: add $900–$2,500 more in city taxes saved. A Columbus retiree at $100K saves $4,535/year total (state + city) by moving to Florida. However, Florida's property insurance costs $3,000–$6,000 more per year than Ohio. The net saving depends on where in Florida you live — high-risk coastal areas may neutralise the tax saving.
Yes. Ohio taxes pension income, including public employee pensions, private pensions, IRA withdrawals, and 401(k) distributions as ordinary income. After the $26,050 tax-free threshold, the 2.75% rate applies up to $100,000 and 3.5% above. There is no Ohio pension exclusion beyond that first threshold. Military pensions are also taxable in Ohio, unlike in some other states. Florida does not tax any of these income sources.
Ohio's average effective property tax rate is approximately 1.4–1.6% — higher than Florida's ~0.86%. On a $300,000 home, Ohio property tax runs $4,200–$4,800/year versus Florida's $2,580 before the Homestead Exemption (or $2,150 after the $50,000 exemption on a $300K home). Ohio seniors 65+ may qualify for the Homestead Exemption, which exempts the first $26,200 of a home's assessed value. On balance, Florida's property tax rate is lower, but Florida's insurance costs offset this difference substantially.
No. Ohio repealed its state estate tax in 2013. There is no Ohio inheritance tax either. Both Ohio and Florida follow only the federal estate tax threshold ($13.61 million per person in 2024). This makes both states equal for estate planning purposes — significantly better than states like Massachusetts (estate tax from $1M) or Pennsylvania (inheritance tax on most heirs).
Yes. Ohio consistently ranks among the top five states for outbound retirement migration to Florida, particularly to the Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Southwest Florida areas. The combination of escaping Ohio's winters, eliminating city income taxes (for city residents), and gaining Florida's homestead protections makes the move financially compelling for many retirees. The main deterrents in 2026 are Florida's property insurance crisis and rising housing costs in popular retirement markets.