State Comparison

New York vs Florida

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

8
New York
NY
vs
of 16 metrics
8
Florida
FL

Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index
NY: 123.8
FL: 102.8
FL

Housing

Median Home Price
NY: $420,000
FL: $400,000
FL
Median 2BR Rent
NY: $1,640/mo
FL: $1,567/mo
FL
Closing Costs
NY: 3.80%
FL: 2.50%
FL
Transfer Tax Rate
NY: 0.40%
FL: 0.70%
NY

Taxes

Property Tax Rate
NY: 1.72%
FL: 0.89%
FL
Top Income Tax Rate
NY: 10.90%
FL: None
FL
Sales Tax Rate
NY: 4.00%
FL: 6.00%
NY
Capital Gains Tax Rate
NY: 10.90%
FL: None
FL

Income & Employment

Median Household Income
NY: $74,314
FL: $67,917
NY
Minimum Wage
NY: $16.50/hr
FL: $13.00/hr
NY
Max Unemployment Benefit
NY: $504/wk
FL: $275/wk
NY

Business

LLC Filing Fee
NY: $200
FL: $125
FL
LLC Annual Fee
NY: $25
FL: $138
NY

Insurance & Living

Avg Car Insurance
NY: $2,340/yr
FL: $2,560/yr
NY
Avg Home Insurance
NY: $1,640/yr
FL: $4,200/yr
NY

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Both states are evenly matched, each winning in 8 metrics — your decision should depend on which factors matter most to you.

  • 2

    Housing: Median home prices are $420,000 in New York vs $400,000 in Florida — a $20,000 difference.

  • 3

    Taxes: New York has a 10.9% top income tax rate while Florida has no income tax. Property tax rates are 1.72% vs 0.89%.

  • 4

    Cost of Living: New York's index is 123.8 and Florida's is 102.8 (national average = 100).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Florida more affordable?

Florida has a lower cost of living index (102.8) compared to New York (123.8), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — New York or Florida?

Overall, Florida has a lower combined tax burden. New York has a 10.9% top income tax, 4% sales tax, and 1.72% property tax. Florida has no income tax, 6% sales tax, and 0.89% property tax.

What are housing costs in New York vs Florida?

The median home price in New York is $420,000 compared to $400,000 in Florida. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $1,640/month in New York vs $1,567/month in Florida.

Which state is better for starting a business — New York or Florida?

LLC filing costs are $200 in New York vs $125 in Florida, with annual fees of $25 and $138 respectively. New York's 10.9% top tax rate compared to Florida's tax-free status may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from New York to Florida?

It depends on your priorities. Florida wins in 8 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

Comparing New York and Florida

When deciding between living in New York or Florida, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

New York (NY) has a median household income of $74,314 with a cost of living index of 123.8. Florida (FL) has a median household income of $67,917 with a cost of living index of 102.8.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free New York calculator or Florida calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.