2026 Updated • No State Income Tax in Either State
Florida
vs
Texas
After-Tax Salary Calculator
Both states have zero income tax — so where you keep more money comes down to property taxes, insurance, cost of living, and what your salary actually buys.
🏖 Florida — No State Income Tax
★ Texas — No State Income Tax
🏖 Florida
Miami • Tampa • Orlando • Jacksonville
vs
★ Texas
Houston • Dallas • Austin • San Antonio
Calculating…
🏖 Florida
—
—
| Gross Salary | — |
| Federal Income Tax | — |
| FL State Income Tax | $0 — None |
| Social Security (6.2%) | — |
| Medicare (1.45%+) | — |
| FL No SDI / SUI | $0 — None |
| Annual Take-Home | — |
★ Texas
—
—
| Gross Salary | — |
| Federal Income Tax | — |
| TX State Income Tax | $0 — None |
| Social Security (6.2%) | — |
| Medicare (1.45%+) | — |
| TX No SDI / SUI | $0 — None |
| Annual Take-Home | — |
Annual Difference
—
Monthly Difference
—
FL Effective Rate
—
TX Effective Rate
—
The Core Truth
Florida vs Texas: When Both States Have No Income Tax, What Actually Differs?
Here’s the twist that surprises most people: Florida and Texas have identical take-home pay from your paycheck. Both states have zero personal income tax, no SDI, and no local income tax. Your W-2 withholding in Tampa looks exactly like your W-2 withholding in Houston for the same salary.
So why does this comparison matter? Because your real financial life extends well beyond your paycheck. The gap between living in Florida vs Texas shows up in five places that genuinely move the needle:
- Property taxes — Texas is significantly higher (1.7–2.1% vs Florida’s 0.8–1.1%)
- Homeowners insurance — Florida is among the most expensive in the nation due to hurricane risk
- Housing costs — Miami is dramatically more expensive than Houston; Tampa vs Dallas is more competitive
- Sales tax — Florida 6% base vs Texas 6.25% base; local additions vary by city
- Cost of living index — varies enormously by metro within each state
✓ What’s Identical Between Florida and Texas
Your paycheck withholdings are exactly the same in both states. Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), state income tax ($0 in both), SDI ($0 in both). A $100,000 single filer takes home approximately $78,100/year in both states from payroll alone. The financial difference lives outside the paycheck.
Florida vs Texas Take-Home Pay by Salary (2026, Single Filer)
Because payroll taxes are identical, these numbers are the same — and that’s the point. This table shows your baseline; the property tax and insurance comparison below shows where the real difference emerges.
Salary
FL Take-Home
TX Take-Home
Paycheck Diff
$50,000
$41,025
$41,025
$0
$75,000
$59,620
$59,620
$0
$100,000
$78,090
$78,090
$0
$125,000
$95,400
$95,400
$0
$150,000
$112,700
$112,700
$0
$200,000
$146,900
$146,900
$0
$300,000
$209,100
$209,100
$0
* Standard deduction applied. No retirement contributions. Both states: federal tax + FICA only. Use calculator above for overtime, filing status adjustments.
Where the Real Difference Lives
Property Taxes: This Is Where Texas Costs You More
If you own a home, Texas will likely cost you $3,000–$8,000 more per year in property taxes than a comparable Florida home. This is the single biggest financial difference between the two states for homeowners, and it’s significant enough to completely offset any lifestyle advantage Texas might offer.
| Factor | 🏖 Florida | ★ Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Property Tax Rate | 0.80% – 1.10% | 1.70% – 2.10% |
| Annual Tax on $350K Home | $2,800 – $3,850 | $5,950 – $7,350 |
| Annual Tax on $500K Home | $4,000 – $5,500 | $8,500 – $10,500 |
| Homestead Exemption | $50,000 off assessed value | $100,000 off assessed value |
| Assessment Cap | 3% annual cap (Save Our Homes) | 10% annual cap |
| Homeowners Insurance (avg) | $3,000 – $6,000+/yr (hurricane risk) | $1,500 – $2,800/yr |
| Flood Insurance Need | High in coastal FL — often required | Lower in most TX metros |
| State Sales Tax Base | 6.0% | 6.25% |
| Avg Total Sales Tax (with local) | ~7.0% | ~8.2% |
⚠ The Texas Property Tax Reality
Texas funds schools and local government almost entirely through property taxes because it has no income tax. The result: some of the highest property tax rates in the country. In Dallas and Houston suburbs, a $400,000 home can generate an $8,000–$9,000 annual tax bill. This erases a major portion of the income tax savings that Texas residents enjoy vs. California workers — but for Florida residents, it’s a real disadvantage Texas has over Florida.
⚠ Florida’s Insurance Problem
Florida’s homeowners insurance market is in crisis. Several major insurers have exited the state entirely. Average annual premiums have surged to $3,000–$6,000+ in coastal areas, and $2,000–$4,000 inland. If you’re in a flood zone, add $1,000–$3,000 for required flood insurance. For coastal property owners, total insurance costs can exceed the property tax savings Florida offers over Texas.
The True Annual Cost Comparison: Owning a $400,000 Home
🏖 Tampa, FL
Property Tax (1.0%)$4,000/yr
Homeowners Insurance$3,200/yr
Flood Insurance$800/yr
Total Annual Cost$8,000/yr
★ Houston, TX
Property Tax (1.9%)$7,600/yr
Homeowners Insurance$2,200/yr
Flood Insurance$500/yr
Total Annual Cost$10,300/yr
🏖 Orlando, FL
Property Tax (0.9%)$3,600/yr
Homeowners Insurance$2,800/yr
Flood Insurance$400/yr
Total Annual Cost$6,800/yr
★ Dallas, TX
Property Tax (2.0%)$8,000/yr
Homeowners Insurance$2,400/yr
Flood Insurance$300/yr
Total Annual Cost$10,700/yr
* Estimates based on 2025/2026 average rates. Your specific city, ZIP code, and home type will significantly affect actual costs.
Decision Guide
Florida vs Texas: Who Really Comes Out Ahead?
Since your paycheck is identical in both states, the decision hinges on your housing situation, lifestyle, and which metros you’re comparing. Here’s the honest breakdown:
🏖 Florida Wins For:
- Renters in non-coastal markets — Orlando, Jacksonville, and Lakeland offer solid renter value without Florida’s insurance burden affecting your wallet directly.
- Retirees with investment income — Florida has no estate tax and no tax on Social Security or pension income, same as Texas, but Florida has no state-level capital gains tax either (matching Texas). The warm climate and beach access make Florida a consistent retirement magnet.
- Long-term homeowners — Florida’s Save Our Homes cap limits assessed value increases to 3% per year. After a decade, longtime owners pay dramatically lower effective tax rates even in appreciating markets.
- Workers in tourism, hospitality, and healthcare — Florida’s concentration of these industries creates deep labor markets in these sectors.
★ Texas Wins For:
- New homebuyers on a budget — While Texas property taxes are higher, the $100,000 homestead exemption and lower absolute home prices in inland Texas cities (San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo) can make homeownership more accessible than Florida’s inflated coastal markets.
- Tech workers and remote professionals — Austin’s tech ecosystem, Dallas’s corporate corridor, and Houston’s energy sector create high-income opportunities concentrated in Texas. Florida’s tech scene is growing but still smaller.
- People avoiding hurricane risk — Inland Texas (Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) faces lower catastrophic weather risk than Florida’s peninsula, making insurance more stable and affordable.
- Business owners — Texas’s regulatory environment and smaller franchise tax footprint (businesses under $2.47M pay no franchise tax) is slightly more favorable than Florida’s for LLC owners.
📊 The Verdict: It Depends Entirely on Your Specific City
Comparing Tampa to Houston? Florida wins on housing costs. Comparing Miami to Dallas? Texas wins dramatically. Comparing Orlando to San Antonio? Close call. This state-vs-state framing only tells half the story — always run the numbers for your specific origin and destination cities, including property tax, insurance, and local cost of living.
The OBBBA Overtime Angle: Identical for Both
The 2026 One Big Beautiful Budget Act overtime tax exemption (up to $12,500/year for single filers) applies equally to Florida and Texas residents. Both states add zero state tax on overtime. A nurse or police officer working overtime in Tampa gets exactly the same benefit as one in Houston. Neither state adds any friction to the federal OBBBA exemption.
Metro vs Metro
Florida City vs Texas City: Real Cost-of-Living Comparison
| Comparison | 🏖 Florida City | ★ Texas City | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami vs Houston | Miami COL index: ~136 (expensive) | Houston COL index: ~100 (avg) | Texas wins |
| Tampa vs Dallas | Tampa COL index: ~108 | Dallas COL index: ~106 | Near tie |
| Orlando vs San Antonio | Orlando COL: ~103 | San Antonio COL: ~95 | Texas wins |
| Jacksonville vs Austin | Jacksonville COL: ~97 | Austin COL: ~118 (expensive) | Florida wins |
| Median Home Price | FL median: ~$410,000 | TX median: ~$320,000 | Texas wins |
| Avg Homeowners Insurance | FL: $3,000–$6,000/yr | TX: $1,800–$2,800/yr | Texas wins |
| Property Tax (avg rate) | FL: ~0.90% | TX: ~1.85% | Florida wins |
| Climate / Lifestyle | Year-round warmth, beaches, humidity | Hot summers, mild winters (N TX), diverse terrain | Personal preference |
Complete Tax Picture
Every Tax Compared: Florida vs Texas 2026
| Tax Type | 🏖 Florida | ★ Texas |
|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | $0 — None | $0 — None |
| Federal Income Tax | Identical in both states — 10%–37%, 2026 brackets | |
| Social Security | Identical — 6.2% up to $176,100 wage base | |
| Medicare | Identical — 1.45% + 0.9% over $200K | |
| State Disability Insurance | $0 — None | $0 — None |
| OBBBA Overtime Exemption | Full federal benefit — no state tax on OT | Full federal benefit — no state tax on OT |
| Capital Gains | Federal rate only (0%/15%/20%) | Federal rate only (0%/15%/20%) |
| Estate / Inheritance Tax | None | None |
| Sales Tax (base) | 6.00% | 6.25% |
| Avg Sales Tax (incl. local) | ~7.0% | ~8.2% |
| Property Tax Rate (avg) | 0.80% – 1.10% | 1.70% – 2.10% |
| Business / Franchise Tax | 5.5% corp income tax (individuals exempt) | Franchise tax (most small biz exempt <$2.47M) |
| Homestead Exemption | $50,000 + 3% Save Our Homes cap | $100,000 exemption, 10% annual cap |
✓ The Tax Tie: What It Means for Your Decision
From a pure paycheck standpoint, Florida and Texas are in a dead heat. The decision between these two zero-income-tax states should be driven by: (1) where your job or remote work takes you, (2) the specific city’s cost of living, (3) your housing situation, and (4) lifestyle preferences like climate, culture, and community. Run the full numbers for your specific metros — not the state averages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Florida vs Texas Salary Questions Answered
Does Florida or Texas have lower taxes overall? ▾
For income taxes, they are exactly equal — both are $0. For property taxes, Florida is significantly lower (0.8–1.1% vs Texas’s 1.7–2.1%). For sales taxes, Florida is lower (avg ~7% vs Texas ~8.2%). Overall, Florida has a lower total tax burden for homeowners, while the gap narrows for renters. The Tax Foundation consistently ranks Florida slightly ahead of Texas on total state and local tax burden per capita.
Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Texas? ▾
It depends entirely on which cities you compare. Houston and San Antonio are significantly cheaper than Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Orlando and Jacksonville are competitive with Dallas and Austin. Austin is now among the more expensive mid-size cities in the U.S. — more expensive than Tampa or Jacksonville on most measures. State-level averages mask enormous city-to-city variation. Always compare your specific origin and destination cities.
Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Florida? ▾
Florida faces multiple hurricane threats per year, has coastline exposure on three sides, and experiences frequent severe weather events including tornadoes and flooding. Multiple major insurers have exited Florida entirely since 2022 (Farmers, AAA, Bankers Insurance, and others), reducing competition and driving premiums dramatically higher. Citizens Property Insurance (the state insurer of last resort) has been depopulating, pushing more homeowners to private markets at higher rates. Coastal and South Florida residents are most affected; inland North Florida sees lower but still elevated premiums.
Which state is better for retirement — Florida or Texas? ▾
Both are retirement-friendly: no income tax means no state tax on Social Security, pension income, IRA distributions, or 401(k) withdrawals. Florida has historically been the #1 retirement destination in the U.S. due to climate, beaches, and a large retiree community with established amenities. Texas offers lower home prices in many markets, which matters for retirees on fixed incomes. The key trade-offs: Florida has lower property taxes but higher insurance costs; Texas has higher property taxes but lower insurance. For retirees who rent, the calculation is closer. For homeowners, Florida’s Save Our Homes cap becomes increasingly valuable over time as it limits property tax growth on an owned home.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Florida vs Texas? ▾
Your take-home pay from $100,000 is approximately $78,100 in both states (single filer, no overtime, standard deduction). Whether that goes far depends on location. In Houston, $78,100 in take-home supports a comfortable lifestyle — you can own a home, save for retirement, and live without financial stress. In Miami, $78,100 is tight for a single person renting, as median one-bedroom rents exceed $2,200/month. In Tampa or Orlando, $78,100 is solid and achievable with a mortgage on a modest home. In Jacksonville, it’s comfortable. Context and city matter far more than which state you’re in.
Do Florida and Texas both avoid the OBBBA overtime tax? ▾
Yes, identically. The OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Budget Act) overtime exemption is a federal tax benefit — it exempts up to $12,500 of qualified overtime wages from federal income tax for single filers ($15,000 for married). Since neither Florida nor Texas levies any state income tax, workers in both states receive 100% of the federal overtime benefit with zero state-level tax clawback. A nurse working overtime in Tampa gets the exact same OBBBA benefit as a nurse working overtime in Houston.
What is Florida’s property tax homestead exemption? ▾
Florida’s homestead exemption removes $50,000 from your home’s assessed value for property tax purposes (the first $25,000 applies to all taxes; the second $25,000 applies to non-school taxes only). More importantly, Florida’s “Save Our Homes” cap limits annual increases in assessed value to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This means longtime Florida homeowners often pay property taxes on an assessed value far below market value. If you buy a $400,000 home in Florida today, you might pay taxes on $350,000 after the exemption — and that assessment will grow slowly even as your market value appreciates. This cap resets when you sell, which is why new buyers pay higher effective rates than longtime owners.
Should I move from Florida to Texas or Texas to Florida for financial reasons? ▾
If you’re a renter moving from a Florida coastal city to inland Texas (Houston, San Antonio), the lower cost of living likely makes Texas the financial winner. If you’re a homeowner in a Florida inland city with a low Save Our Homes assessed value, moving to Texas would reset your assessment and hit you with Texas’s much higher property tax rate — a potentially significant financial step backward. If you’re considering Miami vs Dallas, Texas wins on affordability. If it’s Jacksonville vs Austin, Florida wins. Run your specific city comparison using local property tax rates, insurance quotes, and rental or housing costs before making a financial decision based on state-level averages.
📊
Methodology
How This Calculator Works
Our calculator applies 2026 IRS federal income tax brackets with OBBBA provisions (overtime exemption up to $12,500 single / $15,000 married), the standard deduction ($15,000 single / $30,000 married / $22,500 head of household), Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $176,100, and Medicare at 1.45% plus 0.9% on income above $200,000. Neither Florida nor Texas applies any state income tax, SDI, or additional payroll deductions. Results are estimates for comparison purposes — individual circumstances including 401(k) contributions, HSA elections, and itemized deductions will vary.
Last updated January 2026 • Federal brackets per 2026 IRS tables • Property tax data from Tax Foundation and state revenue departments • Insurance data from NAIC 2024–2025 reports