Florida is the third most populous state, with 23.5 million residents, and it grew 8.9% between 2020 and 2025, almost three times the national rate. It has no state income tax, a 6% state sales tax and, after voters approved Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026, a much larger homestead exemption on the way for current homeowners. This guide collects the numbers and rules that matter if you live in Florida or plan to move there.
Florida guides
Florida taxes
No income tax, a 6% state sales tax and a lower-than-average property tax rate. Read the tax guide.
Moving to Florida
Register your car within 10 days and get a Florida license within 30. See the step-by-step guide.
Florida paycheck calculator
Estimate take-home pay after federal tax, Social Security and Medicare. Open the calculator.
What is different about Florida
No income tax, moderate property tax
Florida does not tax wages, retirement income or investment income. It collects most of its revenue from sales taxes (39% of state and local tax collections) and property taxes (35%). Homeowners pay an effective property tax rate of about 0.78% of home value, below the national figure of about 0.89%. Details are in our Florida tax guide.
A bigger homestead exemption from 2027, but not right away for newcomers
Amendment 3, approved with about 62% of the vote on November 3, 2026, raises the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. People who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026 get the current, smaller exemption at first and qualify for the larger one starting with their fifth year of homestead exemption. School taxes keep the $25,000 exemption.
Ten days to register your car
Florida gives new residents only 10 days to title and register a vehicle, one of the shortest deadlines in the country, and charges a $225 initial registration fee for a first Florida plate. Our moving guide lists each step.
No-fault car insurance
Florida requires $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP), which pays your own medical costs after a crash no matter who caused it, plus $10,000 of property damage liability. Bodily injury liability is not required for most drivers, though insurers recommend it.
Hurricanes and flood insurance
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage; flood insurance is sold separately, and mortgage lenders require it in high-risk flood zones. Home and flood insurance can add substantially to the cost of owning a home, especially near the coast, so get quotes before you buy.
An older population
About 22.8% of Floridians are 65 or older, among the highest shares of any state. There is no state tax on Social Security, pensions or retirement account withdrawals.
Florida at a glance
| Measure | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 1, 2025 | 23,462,518 | 341,784,857 |
| Population change, 2020–2025 | +8.9% | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $74,568 | $80,734 |
| Median home value | $359,000 | $332,700 |
| Median gross rent | $1,669 | $1,413 |
| Homeownership rate | 67.6% | 65.2% |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 10.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.1% | 35.7% |
| Land area | 53,652 sq mi | 3,533,038 sq mi |
| People per square mile (2020) | 401.4 | 93.8 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. Income, home value, rent, homeownership and education are 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates; income is in 2024 dollars.
Largest cities
Jacksonville, which covers almost all of Duval County, is Florida’s largest city by population. Miami is the center of the state’s largest metro area.
| City | Population (2024) |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 1,009,833 |
| Miami | 487,014 |
| Tampa | 414,547 |
| Orlando | 334,854 |
| St. Petersburg | 267,102 |
| Port St. Lucie | 258,575 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 city and town population estimates, as reported by NBC 6 South Florida. Figures are for city limits, not metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida have a state income tax?
No. Florida does not tax personal income. You still pay federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.
What did Amendment 3 change?
It raises the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then adjusts it for inflation, and cuts the yearly cap on assessment increases for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%. New residents qualify for the larger exemption starting in their fifth year of homestead exemption.
Is Florida cheaper than the U.S. average?
Not for housing. Florida’s median home value is about 8% above the national median and median rent is about 18% higher, while median household income is lower. The lack of an income tax offsets part of that for many households.
What do I need to do after moving to Florida?
Register your vehicle within 10 days and get a Florida driver license within 30 days. Our Florida moving guide has the full list.
Last updated: November 5, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: QuickFacts, Florida
- NBC 6 South Florida: Census data reveals the largest city in Florida
- Tax Foundation: Florida tax data
- Florida Chamber of Commerce: Amendment 3 ballot summary and timeline
- CBS12: Amendment 3 passes with 62% of the vote
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: New residents
- FEMA: National Flood Insurance Program