Compare states
Florida vs Virginia for retirement
On the 8 lines this page tracks, Virginia comes out lower or more retiree-friendly on 4 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 Virginia, answered.
Is Florida or Virginia cheaper to retire in?
On the BEA cost-of-living index, Virginia sits at 101 and Florida at 103, where 100 is the U.S. average. So the same basket of goods tends to cost less in Virginia. Housing and your own budget still decide the real number.
Which has lower taxes for retirees, Florida or Virginia?
Florida has no state income tax. Virginia uses about a 4.5% blended retirement-income planning rate. Florida's average combined sales tax is 7.0% and its property-tax planning rate is 0.9%; Virginia is 5.8% and 0.8%.
Does Florida or Virginia tax Social Security?
Florida does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here. Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits under the current state-tax summary used here.
Where is long-term care cheaper, Florida or Virginia?
In the CareScout and Genworth 2025 medians, assisted living runs about $67,320 a year in Florida and $83,340 in Virginia; a semi-private nursing-home room is about $124,100 versus $123,005.