Georgia vs Florida
A side-by-side comparison of Georgia and Florida — taxes, housing, income, and cost of living — with a salary-equivalence calculator for anyone considering the move.
Take-home pay on $100,000
Georgia
$74,939/yr take-home
$6,245/mo · 25.1% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (5.0% flat)
- $4,242
- FICA
- $7,650
Florida
$79,180/yr take-home
$6,598/mo · 20.8% effective tax
- Federal tax
- $13,170
- State tax (None)
- $0
- FICA
- $7,650
You keep $4,242 more per year in Florida ($353/mo) from income tax alone — before housing and other costs, below.
The numbers
Monthly cost of living · renting
Salary equivalence
$100,000 in Georgia buys the same lifestyle as $101,896 in Florida
For a household of 1 adult, renting. Florida's cost of living is 107.4% of Georgia's, and the figure accounts for both states' income taxes. Home price is an asset; this compares monthly living cost. An estimate, not financial advice.
Georgia vs Florida: what the numbers say
Thinking about moving from Georgia to Florida? Here's how the two states line up on the numbers that shape your budget. The headline difference is tax: Florida has no state income tax, while Georgia charges 5.0% flat. Moving from Georgia to Florida can noticeably raise your take-home pay.
Housing is usually the biggest factor. A typical home costs $334,465 in Georgia versus $377,578 in Florida — Georgia is cheaper by about $43,113. Overall cost of living runs $3,562 a month in Georgia and $3,827 in Florida for a single adult, and the typical household earns $79,991 versus $77,735.
Because prices differ, the same paycheck stretches differently: Florida's cost of living is about 107.4% of Georgia's. Use the calculator above to see exactly what your Georgia salary would need to be in Florida to keep the same lifestyle, taxes included.
Income matters too, not just costs. The typical household earns $79,991 in Georgia versus $77,735 in Florida, so a state that looks pricier on paper can still come out ahead if local pay is higher. That's why the salary-equivalence figure — which folds in both taxes and cost of living — is a better guide for a move than any single cost-of-living index on its own.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or Florida?
- Georgia has the lower typical monthly cost of living for a single adult. The table above breaks down housing, taxes, and more, and the calculator shows the salary equivalence between the two.
- What salary do I need in Florida to match Georgia?
- It depends on your current salary and filing status. Enter them in the calculator above to see the Florida salary that preserves your Georgia purchasing power after taxes and cost-of-living differences.
Explore further
Dig into either state on its own, or compare a different pair.
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