Moving From Texas
to Florida

Texas and Florida both have no state income tax, so your savings here are not about income tax. They come from Florida's lower property taxes (about 1.0% to 1.2% versus Texas's 1.6% to 1.8%), the Homestead Exemption, the Save Our Homes assessment cap, and overall cost of living. On a typical luxury home that difference is often several thousand dollars a year. Call (407) 383-0707 to run your numbers.

No, and neither does Texas. Both states have zero state income tax, so on income you are already in the same position. Where Florida pulls ahead is property tax, estate tax (Florida has none), and lifestyle. The calculator above will show $0 in income tax savings, which is the honest answer; the real difference is in carrying costs.

This is the real difference. Texas has no income tax, like Florida, but its property taxes are among the nation's highest at roughly 1.6% to 1.8%. Central Florida runs about 1.0% to 1.2%, plus the Homestead Exemption and the Save Our Homes 3% cap, so your annual property tax bill typically drops and your future increases are capped.

Make Florida your primary home and document it: spend more than 183 days a year in Florida, file a Declaration of Domicile with your county clerk, get a Florida driver license, register your vehicles and to vote in Florida, and move your bank, doctors, estate documents, and memberships to your Florida address. Because Texas has no income tax, there is no final state income tax return to file; the key step is establishing Florida as your homestead. This is general information, not legal or tax advice; confirm your plan with a CPA or attorney.

Because Texas has no income tax, there is no Texas income tax to escape. Florida residency still matters for the Homestead Exemption and the Save Our Homes cap, which require Florida to be your permanent residence. Spend more than 183 days a year here, file for Homestead, and you lock in those property tax protections.

Texas has no income tax, so there is nothing to follow you. The main step is simply establishing Florida as your homestead to capture the property tax benefits. You will not face a departing-state income tax review the way movers from high-tax states do.

Texas buyers gravitate to Winter Park (Park Avenue walkability and the Chain of Lakes), Lake Nona (new construction and a master-planned, 15-minute-city feel), Windermere (Butler Chain lakefront and Isleworth), Dr. Phillips (Restaurant Row and gated luxury), Lake Mary (top Seminole County schools and gated Heathrow), and Winter Garden and Horizon West (newer luxury at strong value). Sean and Barb cover all ten Central Florida luxury markets and match the neighborhood to your commute, schools, and lifestyle.

Comparable square footage, often with lower carrying costs. Luxury homes in Winter Park, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, and Lake Nona typically run $800,000 to $3M, with lakefront estates above that, and Florida's property tax bill on that home is usually lower than Texas's.

No. Florida does not tax Social Security, pensions, IRA or 401(k) withdrawals, or any retirement income at the state level, because it has no state income tax at all. Texas and Florida both skip income tax, so retirement income is untaxed in either state; the Florida advantage shows up in property tax and lifestyle. For retirees, the Florida difference compounds every year.

On income tax it is a tie, since neither state taxes income. Florida pulls ahead on property tax (about 1.0% to 1.2% versus Texas's 1.6% to 1.8%) and adds Save Our Homes protection. Insurance and other costs vary, so Sean and Barb can model your total picture.

Once a Florida home is your primary residence you can file for the Homestead Exemption, which removes $50,000 from the assessed value, and the Save Our Homes cap, which limits annual assessment increases to 3% no matter how fast the market rises. Accumulated Save Our Homes savings are also portable to your next Florida homestead.

Yes. Sean and Barb regularly guide Texas buyers through the entire purchase before they ever set foot in Florida, with live video home tours, neighborhood drive-throughs, market data, lender introductions, and fully remote closing coordination. Many clients tour by video, go under contract, and only arrive for the final walkthrough and keys.

Not necessarily. Many Texas buyers purchase in Florida first (using a bridge loan, portfolio loan, or cash) and sell afterward, while others sequence the sale first for certainty. Sean and Barb coordinate the timing and connect you with lenders who handle both ends.