--- title: "Moving from Michigan | Peter White & Kate Ward" url: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/moving-to-florida-from-michigan description: "Thinking of leaving Michigan for Florida? Taxes, home prices, flights home, and how Florida's tax cap compares to Proposal A, from two Treasure Coast Realtors." lang: en --- Image: Bright Atlantic surf beside sea oats and palms on a Treasure Coast beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/michigan-relocation-hero-BK-hbJN0.jpg) # Moving to Florida from Michigan By Peter White and Kate Ward, REMAX Gold. We help Michiganders move to Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach), Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie), Sebastian (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/sebastian), Fort Pierce (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/fort-pierce), Stuart (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/stuart), and the rest of Florida's Treasure Coast (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/relocation). Last updated: October 2026 ## The short answer Michiganders move here for the winters and the water, and you already know a thing or two about both. Florida has no state income tax, and its property tax cap works a lot like Proposal A. The tradeoffs are higher home prices, higher insurance, and hurricane season instead of lake-effect snow. ## Why Michiganders make the move ### Trade snow for sun. Average winter highs on the Treasure Coast are in the 70s. No more scraping the windshield in March. ### Still a water person. Swap the Great Lakes for the Atlantic and the Indian River Lagoon. Boating, fishing, and beaches all year. ### No state income tax. Michigan's flat rate is 4.25% in 2026. Florida's is zero, on wages and everything else. ### Golf in January. The Treasure Coast has dozens of courses, and the season never ends. ## Michigan vs. the Treasure Coast ### Michigan - Median sold price: $303,500 (September 2026, Realtor.com) - State income tax: flat 4.25%, plus city income tax in Detroit and several other cities - Retirement income: most pension and IRA income now deductible (2026) - Property tax cap: Proposal A, inflation or 5%, whichever is less - Winter: snow from November to April ### Treasure Coast, Florida - Median single-family price: Fort Pierce (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/fort-pierce) $280,000, Sebastian (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/sebastian) $366,000, Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie) $420,000, Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach) $450,000 - State income tax: none - Retirement income: no state tax at all - Property tax cap: Save Our Homes (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/save-our-homes-florida), 3% or inflation, whichever is less - Winter: 70s and sunny Treasure Coast prices are September 2026 single-family medians from Florida Realtors SunStats. ## The honest math on taxes Michigan made big changes in 2026, so here's the straight story. **If you're still working,** the savings are real. A single person earning $80,000 pays about $3,150 a year in Michigan state income tax. Live in Detroit and you add city income tax on top. In Florida, that's zero. **If you're retired,** the savings are smaller than they used to be. Starting in 2026, Michigan lets most retirees deduct up to $65,987 (single) or $131,794 (married) of pension and IRA income, and Social Security isn't taxed. Many Michigan retirees already pay little or no state tax on that income. Florida taxes none of it, at any amount. Estimates only. We're Realtors, not tax advisors. Talk to a CPA before you plan your move. ## You already know how our tax cap works If you've owned a home in Michigan, Florida's property tax system will feel familiar. ### Michigan: Proposal A - Taxable value can rise by inflation or 5%, whichever is less (2.7% for 2026) - The cap "uncaps" when the home sells, so the buyer's taxes reset higher - Your primary home gets the Principal Residence Exemption ### Florida: Save Our Homes (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/save-our-homes-florida) - Assessed value can rise by 3% or inflation, whichever is less - The cap resets when the home sells, so the seller's tax bill won't be yours - Your primary home gets a homestead exemption of up to $51,411 (2026) Same lesson in both states. Don't budget off the seller's tax bill. We estimate your taxes based on your purchase price. [Peter: add a real example, estimated yearly taxes on a $400,000 homesteaded home in Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie)] ## Property taxes are on the ballot this year On November 3, 2026, Florida voters decide Amendment 3 (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/amendment-3), which would raise the homestead exemption on most non-school property taxes. Under the proposal, people who become Florida residents after 2026 would wait five years for the larger exemption. [UPDATE AFTER NOV 3: replace this section with the result and what it means for buyers moving from Michigan.] ## Getting home to see family There are no nonstop flights from Michigan to Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach) yet. Your best options: - **Palm Beach International (about an hour south of Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie)):** nonstop to Grand Rapids on Allegiant and to Detroit on Delta. - **Orlando International:** nonstops to Grand Rapids and Detroit on several airlines. - **Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach) Regional:** American flies nonstop to Charlotte, with easy connections to Detroit and Grand Rapids. - **Driving:** Detroit to Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie) is about 19 hours. Many snowbirds drive down in the fall and back in the spring. Routes change often. Check the airline before you book. [Peter: confirm drive times from Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie) and Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach) to PBI and Orlando] Image: Palm-shaded dock and homes beside calm blue Indian River Lagoon water (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/michigan-relocation-snowbird-A_Ai4BMw.jpg) ## The snowbird path A lot of Michiganders spend a few winters here before making it permanent. That's a smart way to find the right town. Know this going in: a second home in Florida doesn't get the homestead exemption or the 3% cap. Non-homestead homes have a 10% annual cap instead. Once Florida becomes your permanent home, apply for homestead by March 1 of the following year. Steps most new Florida residents take when they make it official: 1. File a Declaration of Domicile with your county clerk. 2. Get a Florida driver's license and register your car here. 3. Register to vote in Florida. 4. Apply for your homestead exemption by March 1. 5. Remove the Principal Residence Exemption on any Michigan home you keep. Michigan requires it once it's no longer your primary home. ## The honest tradeoffs - **Homes cost more.** The typical Michigan home sells for less than the typical Treasure Coast home. Fort Pierce (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/fort-pierce) and Sebastian (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/sebastian) are where Michigan budgets stretch the furthest. - **Insurance costs more.** Florida averages about $8,471 a year for home insurance, the highest in the country. Newer homes with newer roofs and impact windows cost far less to insure. Get quotes before you make an offer. - **Hurricane season runs June through November.** Newer homes are built to strict wind codes. Know your flood zone before you buy. - **No basements.** The water table is too high. Plan on a garage, attic, or storage unit. - **Summers are long and hot.** Think of July here like January back home. It's the season you stay inside. ## Where Michiganders land on the Treasure Coast Not sure where to start? Here's a quick guide by lifestyle. Image: Calm tidal river lined with palms and a seawall, tile-roof homes and a drawbridge in the distance (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/e053d3b2-2028-48ae-8a57-00e75d1d68a4/sebastian.webp) ### Want a lake-town feel on the water? Sebastian (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/sebastian), on the Indian River. Image: Home at Astor Creek Golf and Country Club in Port St. Lucie (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/e3858cb9-ed8b-48b3-85ac-f8ff5a7f3b81/astor-creek.webp) ### Want newer homes, golf, and 55+ communities? Port St. Lucie: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/port-st-lucie. Image: Sailboats moored on a calm river in front of low-rise brick storefronts and palms at golden hour (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/e5cecf15-3c1a-4666-9dc3-7f57880ddcb9/stuart.webp) ### Want a walkable downtown near the beach? Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach) and Stuart (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/stuart). Image: Waterfront homes and blue river water along the Fort Pierce area of St. Lucie County (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/ac6f8872-6bf3-4f2e-9645-8413e637d9e6/fort-pierce.webp) ### Want the most house for the money? Fort Pierce: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/fort-pierce. ## Northern roots, Treasure Coast locals Image: Kate Ward and Peter White together in a bright home interior (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/ec3b5194-f558-4596-9055-0bf0e5e848b0/team-home-interior.webp) We both moved here as kids. Peter's family came down from Connecticut in 1984 and settled in Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach). Kate's family came from Delaware in 1986 and settled in Fort Pierce (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/fort-pierce). What drew our families here is what still keeps us here: the great weather and the small-town feel. A lot has changed since we were growing up. There are far more restaurants, businesses, clubs, and things to do than there used to be. But the best part hasn't changed. It's the people. So many wonderful people make this area special, and we'd love to help you become one of them. ## Frequently asked questions ### Will I save on taxes moving from Michigan to Florida? If you're working, yes. Michigan's 4.25% income tax goes away, along with any city income tax. If you're retired, Michigan now exempts most pension and IRA income, so the savings may be smaller. ### How does Florida's property tax cap compare to Proposal A? They're similar. Michigan caps taxable value growth at inflation or 5%. Florida caps a homestead's assessed value at 3% or inflation, whichever is less. Both reset when the home sells. ### Are homes cheaper in Florida than in Michigan? Usually not. Michigan's median sold price was $303,500 in September 2026. Treasure Coast medians ranged from $280,000 in Fort Pierce (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/fort-pierce) to $450,000 in Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach). ### Can I fly nonstop from the Treasure Coast to Michigan? Not from Vero Beach (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/cities/vero-beach) yet. Palm Beach International has nonstops to Grand Rapids and Detroit, and Orlando has several more. ### Can I keep my Michigan home and still get Florida's homestead exemption? Yes, as long as Florida is your permanent residence. You'll need to remove Michigan's Principal Residence Exemption on the home you keep. ### When should I apply for Florida's homestead exemption? By March 1 of the year after you buy and move in as your permanent residence. ## Sources - Michigan income tax and retirement deduction: Michigan Department of Treasury, Public Act 4 of 2023: https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/iit/tax-guidance/tax-situations/retirement-and-pension-benefits - Michigan Proposal A and 2026 inflation rate multiplier: Michigan State Tax Commission: https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/local/stc - Michigan home prices: Realtor.com, September 2026: https://www.realtor.com/local/market/michigan - Treasure Coast home prices: Florida Realtors SunStats, September 2026: https://www.floridarealtors.org/tools-research/reports/florida-market-reports - Home insurance averages: Insurance.com, 2026: https://www.insurance.com/home-and-renters-insurance/coverage/florida-homeowners-insurance - Florida homestead exemption and Amendment 3: Florida property appraisers: https://floridarevenue.com/property/Pages/Taxpayers_Exemptions.aspx - Flights: Allegiant (https://www.allegiantair.com/), Delta (https://www.delta.com/), American Airlines (https://www.aa.com/) Moving from somewhere else? See all our Moving From guides. (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/relocation) Image: Sunrise over calm lagoon water and a mangrove shoreline (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/ohio-relocation-coast-DXaF4Lw5.jpg) ## Done with Michigan winters? We'll help you compare areas, budgets, and insurance costs before you make the drive down. Call or text us anytime. Call Peter: +17722841419 Call Kate: +17723424006 Contact Us: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/contact Kate Ward - 772-342-4006 / Peter White - 772-284-1419 / REMAX Gold ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "RealEstateAgent", "@id": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com/#real-estate-agent", "name": "Peter White & Kate Ward, The McKinney Team | REMAX Gold", "url": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com", "telephone": "772-284-1419", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "140 NW California Blvd", "addressLocality": "Port St. Lucie", "addressRegion": "FL", "postalCode": "34986", "addressCountry": "US" }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Vero Beach" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Sebastian" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Fort Pierce" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Port St. Lucie" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Stuart" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Jensen Beach" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Palm City" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Hobe Sound" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Indiantown" } ], "employee": [ { "@id": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com/#peter-white" }, { "@id": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com/#kate-ward" } ] }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com/#peter-white", "name": "Peter White", "jobTitle": "Realtor", "telephone": "772-284-1419", "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "REMAX Gold" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com/#kate-ward", "name": "Kate Ward", "jobTitle": "Broker Associate", "telephone": "772-342-4006", "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "REMAX Gold" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Peter White & Kate Ward, The McKinney Team | REMAX Gold", "url": "https://www.petekaterealestate.com" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Moving to Florida from Michigan", "description": "Thinking of leaving Michigan for Florida? 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