How to Move to Florida: The Complete Guide (With Checklist)

Craving sandy beaches and endless sunshine? If so, what better place than the Sunshine State? When you move to Florida, you’ll get all of those things (and more).

You’ve heard there’s no state income tax. You know about the picturesque retirement communities. But what else should you know about moving to Florida?

In this checklist, we’ll run through everything you need to know for moving to Florida, including suggestions on cities, neighborhoods, and things to do.

Things to Consider Before Moving to Florida

Before you pack up your bags for your move to Florida, it’s important to have a complete view of the state, including things like:

Taxes in Florida

Florida is one of nine states in the US that do not levy a state income tax. This makes it an appealing choice for people seeking to minimize their tax burden. Yes, you read that right, no state income tax!

This translates to significant savings for residents–especially for those with retirement benefits, like social security and part-time work income, which aren’t taxed in Florida, either.

Cost of Living

Despite their lax tax laws, Florida’s overall cost of living is approximately 3% higher than the national average. This includes costs like housing, groceries, utilities, and other amenities.

And don’t forget, Florida has a state sales tax rate of 6%, with the average local tax making it around 7.02%.