Florida used to be famous mainly for vacations, but now lots of people are choosing to live there permanently. It’s become the top pick for Americans moving from one state to another, and this trend keeps getting stronger.
Back when Covid-19 hit, Florida was one of the few states that didn’t enforce strict lockdodwn rules, which made it very attractive for people to move. The trend kept growing and Covid-19 helped speed it up even faster. As remote job opportunities became more common, many people saw the appeal of spending extended time in Florida.
It’s a no-brainer really—everyone loves Florida for its great weather and low taxes. So, it’s no surprise that lots of these remote workers decided to make Florida their permanent home. But it’s not just remote workers or retirees looking to sell their homes and move to sunny Florida. Even before COVID-19, lots of people were already moving to Florida. In just one year, over 250,000 people came to the Sunshine State, showing how popular it is to move here. And it’s not just people from other US States, many Europeans are coming here too.
The positive aspect is that these newcomers aren’t merely adding to the population without contributing to the economy. In the last twenty years, Florida has gathered over $200 billion, showing how strong its economy has become.
Related: 5 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Home In Florida | Emerald Coast Edition
Number Of People Who Have Moved To Florida Based on 2022 US Census Bureau
| Rank | State | Number of People Moving To Florida |
| 1 | New York | 91,201 |
| 2 | California | 50,701 |
| 3 | New Jersey | 47,000 |
| 4 | Georgia | 39,990 |
| 5 | Texas | 38,207 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 35,384 |
| 7 | Illinois | 35,262 |
| 8 | Virginia | 32,932 |
| 9 | Ohio | 27,257 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 24,601 |
If we look at the broader picture, there’s a clear pattern emerging: many people are moving from blue states to red states. For instance, they’re leaving California for Texas and Illinois for Tennessee. Similarly, people from New York and other northeastern states are choosing Florida.
As we’ve mentioned, Florida’s appeal goes beyond just sunny weather and retirees’ funds. Whether you’re considering a move or simply curious, we’ll explore ten reasons why Florida is such a desirable place to live.
Florida Has Low Taxes Which Make The Cost Of Living Cheaper
In Florida, there’s no state individual income tax, which is a big plus for residents. The state does have a corporate income tax, set at 5.50 percent. When it comes to sales tax, Florida has a state rate of 6.00 percent, with local rates reaching up to 2.00 percent. On average, the combined state and local sales tax rate comes to around 7.002 percent.
In fact, Florida’s tax system ranks quite favorably overall. It holds the 4th spot on the 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index, indicating a business-friendly environment compared to other states.
What Does This Mean For Florida Residents?
For starters, it’s a significant advantage over states like New York and New Jersey, where the top individual income tax rates soar as high as 10.9% and 10.75%, respectively. But it’s not just the wealthy who benefit from Florida’s tax policies. Low and middle-income families find the affordable cost of living in Florida appealing as well.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Shell Island, FL
Florida Is The Sunshine State
Florida has really nice weather all year round, which is why it’s called the “sunshine” state. There’s sun for about 250 days every year, so it’s usually warm and nice. In South Florida, it’s around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and in North Florida, it’s about 67 degrees.
Because of this great weather, people can do lots of fun stuff outside, like paddle boarding, kayaking, or exploring the waterways. There are also plenty of activities on land, like tennis, pickleball, and golf, available all year in many Florida towns.
Related: Panama City Vs Panama City Beach | What's The Diffrence?
Florida Is The US 4th Strongest Economy
Florida’s economy and job market are strong because of industries like tourism, defense, real estate, and others. In 2023, Florida had a huge 135 million tourists, just a bit less than the record of 137.4 million in 2022. Its economy is ranked as the fourth-largest in the country, with a Gross State Product (GSP) of $1.1 trillion. This puts Florida behind only California, Texas, and New York. With its diverse industries and booming economy, Florida offers endless opportunities for jobs and career growth.
Florida Is The Boomers Destination
Florida is often seen as a prime destination for retirement, alongside Arizona and Texas. In a recent study , Florida was named the number one state to retire in for 2024. This ranking was based on factors like affordability, quality of life, and access to healthcare.
Every year, multiple cities in Florida, such as Naples, Sarasota, The Villages, and Vero Beach, are recognized as top retirement spots. These cities offer amenities tailored to boomers, including maintenance-free homes, RV parks, golf courses, fishing piers, and plenty of outdoor activities. In fact, Florida has the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older compared to all other states, with over 21% of its population in this age group according to US census data.
Related: Why Are Seniors Moving To Florida?
Florida Maintains Affordable Housing Prices
Despite higher interest rates, Florida’s real estate market remains robust, with new housing developments constantly underway. This strong demand has led to an increase in home prices, with the average price of a home in Florida reaching $397,000 as of late March 2024. While this is higher than the national average of $354,000, Florida’s home prices are still relatively reasonable, sitting just 12.1% above the national average.
This affordability is particularly attractive to those relocating from states like New York, New Jersey, and California, where average home prices are significantly higher—30%, 45%, and 121% above the national average, respectively.
Related: Best NeighborhoodsIn Panama City Beach, Fl
Florida Is Home To Endless Theme Parks
Florida is a hotspot for amusement and theme parks, boasting 8 of the “Top 20” amusement parks in the nation and 3 of the “Top 20” water parks worldwide. While Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens are well-known favorites, there are plenty more exciting parks to explore in Florida. Many of these parks offer discounts for Florida residents and have accommodations available for overnight or extended stays.
Some of Florida’s popular amusement parks include:
- Walt Disney World
- Universal Studios Florida
- Epcot
- Animal Kingdom
- Universal Islands
- Gatorland
- Legoland
- Fun Spot America
Best Water Parks, Florida
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Volcano Bay
- Discovery Cove
- Aquatica Water Park
Florida Has 1,350 miles Of Coastline
Florida has a lot of coastline—1,350 miles! That means it has some really great beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
| Top Panhandle Beaches | Top Gulf Coast Beaches | Top Atlantic Coast Beaches |
| Pensacola Beach | Clearwater Beach | Amelia Island Beaches |
| Destin Beach | Saint Pete Beach | Daytona Beach |
| Panama City Beach | Siesta Key Beach | Fort Lauderdale Beach |
| Sanibel Island Beaches | Miami Beach |
Related: Best Beach Towns in Emerald Coast, FL
Florida Has A Very Good Education System
Florida stands out as a top destination for families considering a move due to its excellent education system. Recently ranked number one in education by U.S. News & World Report, the state underlines its commitment to providing quality schooling from prekindergarten to college. Notable highlights include seven consecutive years as the best state for higher education and the lowest college tuition fees nationwide.
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