How much cheaper are homes on the Treasure Coast than in New York?

In September 2026, the median single-family home sold for $420,000 in Port St. Lucie and $366,000 in Sebastian, compared to $999,950 in Westchester County.

Is home insurance really that expensive in Florida?

Yes. Florida's average is about $8,471 a year, the highest in the country. Newer homes with newer roofs and impact windows usually cost far less to insure.

Can I fly nonstop from the Treasure Coast to New York?

Yes. Breeze Airways flies nonstop from Vero Beach to White Plains, Long Island (Islip), and Newburgh.

When should I apply for Florida's homestead exemption?

By March 1 of the year after you buy and move into the home as your permanent residence.

Can I buy in Florida before I sell in New York?

Often, yes. Many buyers use cash, a bridge loan, or a second-home mortgage. We can connect you with local lenders who do this every week.

Atlantic coastline with sea oats, white sand and clear blue water

Moving to Florida from New York

Q: Do I have to pay New York taxes after I move to Florida?

Not on your income once you've truly changed your home to Florida, as long as you don't keep a home in New York and spend more than 183 days there. New York often audits recent movers, so keep good records and talk to a tax professional.

By Pete White and Kate Ward, RE/MAX Gold. We help New Yorkers move to Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, Sebastian, Fort Pierce, Stuart, and the rest of Florida's Treasure Coast.

Last updated: October 2026

The short answer

Moving from New York to Florida usually means no state income tax, no estate tax, and a lot more house for the money. The tradeoffs are higher home insurance, hurricane season, and a hot, humid summer. On the Treasure Coast, you also keep nonstop flights back to White Plains, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.

New York vs. the Treasure Coast at a glance

Comparison	New York	Treasure Coast, Florida
State income tax	3.9% to 10.9%, plus up to 3.876% more in NYC	None
Estate tax	Yes, on estates over $7.35 million (2026), with a "cliff" above $7.72 million	None
Median single-family price	Westchester $999,950, Queens $775,000, Brooklyn $1,160,500	Port St. Lucie $420,000, Sebastian $366,000, Indian River County $390,000, Martin County $600,000
Average homeowners insurance	National average is $2,872 a year	Florida averages $8,471 a year, the highest in the US
Nonstop flights home		Vero Beach to White Plains, Islip, and Newburgh on Breeze

Home prices are September 2026 medians from Florida Realtors and OneKey MLS. Insurance figures are 2026 Insurance.com averages for a $300,000 dwelling policy. Treasure Coast insurance varies widely by home age, roof, and flood zone, so get quotes before you buy.

What you save on taxes

No state income tax.

Florida has no personal income tax. New York's state rates run from 3.9% to 10.9%, and New York City residents pay another 3.078% to 3.876% on top. A single NYC resident earning $100,000 pays about $8,300 a year in state and city income tax. In Florida, that's zero.

No estate tax.

Florida has no estate or inheritance tax. New York taxes estates over $7.35 million in 2026, and if an estate goes more than 5% over that line, New York taxes the whole estate, not just the excess.

Lower property taxes, in most cases.

Many New York counties have some of the highest property tax bills in the country. Florida homeowners who make the home their primary residence get a homestead exemption (up to $51,411 for 2026) and a cap that limits how fast their assessed value can rise each year.

Leave New York the right way

New York audits people who move to Florida, especially in the first few years after the move. Spending fewer than 183 days in New York is not enough on its own. If you still keep a home in New York and spend more than 183 days there, New York can tax you as a resident even after you've moved. Auditors can ask for things like E-ZPass records, phone records, and credit card statements to see where you actually were.

Steps most new Florida residents take:

File a Declaration of Domicile with your county clerk.
Get a Florida driver's license and register your car here.
Register to vote in Florida.
Apply for your homestead exemption by March 1 of the year after you buy.
Move the things that matter to you: your doctors, your pets, your important papers, your family photos.

We're Realtors, not tax advisors. Talk to a CPA or tax attorney who handles New York to Florida moves before you file.

Property taxes are on the ballot this year

On November 3, 2026, Florida voters decide Amendment 3, which would raise the homestead exemption on most non-school property taxes. One detail matters a lot to people moving here: 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 New York.]

Flying home

Vero Beach Regional Airport has nonstop flights on Breeze Airways to three New York airports:

White Plains (Westchester County Airport)
Long Island (Islip MacArthur Airport)
Newburgh (Stewart International Airport, Hudson Valley)

Breeze also flies nonstop to Hartford, New Haven, Providence, and other Northeast cities, and JetBlue flies nonstop to Boston. If you need JFK or LaGuardia, Palm Beach International and Orlando International have many daily flights.

Routes and schedules change often. Check the airline before you book.

[Pete: add drive times from Port St. Lucie and Stuart to Vero Beach Regional Airport]

What your money buys here

Area	Median price
Fort Pierce	$280,000
Sebastian	$366,000
Port St. Lucie	$420,000
Vero Beach	$450,000
Jensen Beach	$499,000
Palm City	$650,000

Median single-family sale prices, September 2026:

For comparison, the median single-family home in Westchester County sold for $999,950 in September 2026. Source: Florida Realtors SunStats and OneKey MLS.

The honest tradeoffs

Insurance costs more. Florida home insurance is the highest in the country. Newer homes with newer roofs and hurricane windows usually cost much less to insure. Get quotes before you make an offer.
Hurricane season runs June through November. Newer Florida homes are built to strict wind codes. Know your flood zone before you buy.
Summers are long and hot. Most people trade shoveling snow for running the AC. Many New Yorkers say the winters make it worth it.
HOAs are common. Many communities have HOA fees and rules. Ask for the fees, the rules, and the budget up front.
No basements. The water table is too high. Plan on a garage, attic, or storage unit instead.

Where New Yorkers land on the Treasure Coast

[Pete and Kate: 2 to 4 sentences on the New York buyers you've helped. What they wanted, which areas they chose, and what surprised them. No client names.]

Sailboats moored on a calm river in front of low-rise brick storefronts and palms at golden hour

We made the move too

[Pete and Kate: your own story. Where you came from (Connecticut and Delaware), when you moved, what you wish you'd known, and what you love now. 3 to 5 sentences.]

Frequently asked questions

Wooden boardwalk through sea oats and coastal trees leading to an empty white sand beach

Thinking about leaving New York?

We'll help you compare areas, budgets, and insurance costs before you ever book a flight. Call or text us anytime.

Call Pete Call Kate Contact Us

Kate Ward - 772-342-4006 / Peter White - 772-284-1419 / RE/MAX Gold