Compare states
Florida vs New York for retirement
On the 8 lines this page tracks, Florida comes out lower or more retiree-friendly on 7 of them. That is a starting point, not a verdict: your own spending, housing, income mix, and the city you pick still decide the real number.
A green check marks the more retiree-friendly side on that line (lower cost, lower tax, or Social Security not taxed). Lower is not always better for you; these are state averages, not your plan.
Common questions
Florida vs New York, answered.
Is Florida or New York cheaper to retire in?
On the BEA cost-of-living index, Florida sits at 103 and New York at 108, where 100 is the U.S. average. So the same basket of goods tends to cost less in Florida. Housing and your own budget still decide the real number.
Which has lower taxes for retirees, Florida or New York?
Florida has no state income tax. New York uses about a 5.5% blended retirement-income planning rate. Florida's average combined sales tax is 7.0% and its property-tax planning rate is 0.9%; New York is 8.5% and 1.7%.
Does Florida or New York tax Social Security?
Florida does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here. New York does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here.
Where is long-term care cheaper, Florida or New York?
In the CareScout and Genworth 2025 medians, assisted living runs about $67,320 a year in Florida and $85,320 in New York; a semi-private nursing-home room is about $124,100 versus $186,333.