New Hampshire → Florida
Moving from New Hampshire to Florida
The Life Transition Specialist
Trade granite-state winters for coastal sunshine, keep the independent spirit you were raised with, and find a state with no income tax, warm beaches, and more home for your money near the water.
The honest why
Why are New Hampshire families moving to Florida?
New Hampshire has no state income tax and no sales tax, but its median home price around $502,000, high property taxes, and long, hard winters send many families south. Florida offers a different balance: still no state income tax, effective property tax rates near 0.8 percent of home value, median prices that start around $367,000 on the Treasure Coast, and ocean living year-round. With a flight of about three and a half hours with one connection from Manchester, or easy access through Boston Logan, New Hampshire families find a warmer shore without giving up the no-income-tax advantage.
Do the math
Tax Savings: New Hampshire vs Florida
State Income Tax
0% (no state income tax)
0% (no state income tax)
No income tax in either state
Property Tax (annual avg)
~$4,500–$7,000 (among the nation's highest)
~$3,500–$5,500 on a typical home
Generally lower bills
Median Home Price
~$502,000 statewide
~$367K–$682K by county
More pool and waterfront for the money
Sales Tax
0% (no state sales tax)
6% state (about 6.5–7% in Florida)
Higher in Florida, offset by other savings
Tax Savings Estimate
New Hampshire and Florida both have no state income tax, but New Hampshire's property taxes are among the highest in the nation, often $4,500-$7,000 a year. Florida's effective property tax rate near 0.8 percent typically brings a lower bill on a comparable home, and the same budget usually buys a larger, newer home with a pool or water access. Over a 10-year period, the combination of lower property taxes and better value adds up to five figures of savings.
Where the movers come from
Popular New Hampshire Towns People Move From
These are the origins Michael hears most from clients relocating to the Treasure Coast and Florida.
Manchester
The state's largest city, with its main airport
~$400K median
Nashua
Southern city with a strong tech corridor
~$460K median
Concord
The capital, in the Merrimack River valley
~$390K median
Portsmouth
Seacoast city with a celebrated downtown harbor
~$610K median
Derry
Southeastern town with strong schools
~$460K median
Salem
Border town on the Massachusetts line
~$460K median
How far your dollar goes
What Your Budget Buys: New Hampshire vs Florida
In New Hampshire, $502,000 (near the statewide median) typically buys a 3-bedroom colonial in a mid-tier town, and less on the Seacoast. In Florida, that same budget gets you a 3-bedroom home with a pool in Port St. Lucie or Fort Pierce, a riverfront townhome on the Treasure Coast, or a condo with a water view in Palm Beach County. At $600,000–$800,000, New Hampshire families step up to newer construction in St. Lucie and Martin Counties, waterfront-adjacent homes in Jensen Beach and Vero Beach, or gated communities in Palm Beach County.
Getting here, getting around
Commute Options & Getting Around
Manchester sits about 1,500 miles from Florida, a 23-hour drive down I-95, or a flight of about three and a half hours with one connection through a major hub. Many New Hampshire families simply fly out of Boston Logan, which offers more nonstop Florida options. On the ground, I-95 and the Florida Turnpike handle the region, Palm Beach International is the Treasure Coast's home airport at 45–55 minutes from Stuart and Port St. Lucie, and Tri-Rail plus Brightline connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.
Flight from Manchester
~3.5 hrs
MHT with a connection to MIA or FLL
PBI to Treasure Coast
~45–55 min
Palm Beach International to Stuart and Port St. Lucie
FLL to Treasure Coast
~1.5 hrs
Fort Lauderdale airport north via I-95
Tri-Rail & Brightline
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach
Regional train links along the coast
The three gateways: Palm Beach International (PBI) in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International (FLL), and Miami International (MIA) put the whole region within reach. PBI is the Treasure Coast's home airport at 45–55 minutes from Stuart, Jensen Beach, and Port St. Lucie; FLL is about 1.5 hours north; and MIA anchors the southern metro.
Where to look first
Recommended Florida Communities for New Hampshire Relocators
From the Treasure Coast to the Gold Coast, these are the communities Michael steers New Hampshire buyers toward first.
Jupiter
Coastal town with marinas, rivers, and family beaches
Stuart
Old-Florida river town with a walkable downtown
Boca Raton
Gold Coast town with golf, dining, and strong schools
Vero Beach
Upscale beach town with a relaxed, resort pace
Schools first, neighborhoods second
School Districts for New Hampshire Relocators
New Hampshire is known for excellent schools, and Florida's county-run districts deliver public, magnet, charter, and private options across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties. Property taxes fund Florida public schools, so homes in highly rated districts tend to hold value better, and the Homestead Exemption caps assessed-value growth for primary residences.
Straight answers
New Hampshire → Florida FAQ
01 How much can I save on taxes by moving from New Hampshire to Florida?
Both states have no income tax, so the headline is property tax. New Hampshire's are among the nation's highest, often $4,500-$7,000 a year, while Florida's effective rate near 0.8 percent typically brings a lower bill on a comparable home, and the same budget usually buys a larger, newer home.
02 How far is Florida from New Hampshire?
Manchester is about 1,500 miles from Florida, a 23-hour drive down I-95, or a flight of roughly three and a half hours with one connection. Many families fly nonstop from Boston Logan, which is about an hour south and offers more Florida options.
03 What do I need to know about getting a Florida driver license and registering my vehicle?
Florida gives new residents 30 days to get a Florida driver license and 10 days to register their vehicles and transfer titles. You will need proof of identity, Social Security number, and Florida residency, and a vehicle registration is required before you can get license plates. Michael's team can walk you through the local DMV.
04 How does the Homestead Exemption work for new Florida homeowners?
Homestead your primary residence and you remove up to $50,000 of assessed value from your property tax bill, plus up to $25,000 more for school taxes for most owner-occupants. The Save Our Homes cap then holds annual assessment growth near 3 percent. You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence as of January 1 to qualify for that tax year.
05 What should I know about insurance and hurricane readiness?
Florida home insurance includes windstorm coverage, and flood insurance is a separate policy worth having near the water, both new line items for New Hampshire families. Hurricane season runs June through November; new-construction homes are built to current wind codes, and shutters, supplies, and a plan are standard practice.
06 What is the median home price difference between New Hampshire and Florida?
New Hampshire's statewide median is about $502,000. Florida runs from about $367,000 in Indian River County to about $682,000 for single-family homes in Miami-Dade, so similar money on the Treasure Coast buys a pool home or water view without the granite-state winter.
Plan the move
More Relocation Resources
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare housing, taxes, utilities, transportation, and everyday costs between Florida and major origin states. Runs entirely in your browser, nothing is sent anywhere.
Open CalculatorFlorida Tax Guide for New Residents
Income tax, property tax by county, sales tax rules (yes, clothing is taxed in Florida), the homestead exemption, and a state-by-state comparison with your origin state.
Read the Florida Tax GuideFlorida Cost of Living by Category
Housing
Median home prices across the six counties Michael serves run from about $367,000 in Indian River County to about $682,000 for single-family homes in Miami-Dade, with Palm Beach single-family medians around $605,000-$645,000 (county Realtor data, 2026). Homesteaded primary residences get an exemption, and assessed-value growth is capped, so the tax bill stays predictable.
Taxes
Florida has no state personal income tax, so wages, pensions, Social Security, and investment income are all free of state tax. The state sales tax is 6 percent, with local surtaxes adding roughly a percent in most Florida counties (per the Florida Department of Revenue). Effective property tax rates run about 0.71-0.96 percent of home value depending on county (county property appraiser data).
Utilities
Florida electricity rates sit near the national average (about 14-15 cents per kWh), with typical monthly residential bills around $160-$166 (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2026); air conditioning runs much of the year, so summer bills run higher. Full utility packages in the Miami metro average around $410 a month.
Transportation
Florida is car-centric, with I-95 and the Florida Turnpike as the spines and further commuter options on Tri-Rail and Brightline between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. Car insurance is a real line item here: Florida leads the nation at roughly $272 a month average for full coverage.
Healthcare
Florida healthcare costs run close to the national average, with major networks across the region, including Cleveland Clinic Florida, Baptist Health, Memorial Healthcare System, and Jackson Health in Miami. Hospital density is strongest in the three southern counties.
Groceries
Grocery prices in Florida track near the national average (index about 101-103), with Publix, Winn-Dixie, Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe’s well represented along the coast. Seasonal produce and seafood are excellent and inexpensive at local markets.
Start your move with a plan
Let's plan your move to Florida
Michael “Wiz” Wisniewski is your Certified Real Estate Planning Advisor and The Life Transition Specialist, serving clients from the Treasure Coast to Florida with The Complete Real Estate Team, powered by Dalton Wade Real Estate. Real estate is the best investment most families make; Michael makes sure yours builds, protects, and transfers generational wealth.
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