7 Reasons Florida Is Bringing Home Buyers From All Over the Country (2026)

Updated October 2026. Seven reasons buyers from other states keep choosing Florida, each checked against state law, Zillow’s September 2026 home values and Freddie Mac rates, plus the costs people underestimate. Pages read October 28, 2026.

Buyers keep moving to Florida for seven main reasons: no state income tax, a homestead exemption of up to $50,000, homes that cost less than in many coastal states, culture, a wide range of housing, changing neighborhoods and the lifestyle. In September 2026 the typical Florida home was worth $375,400 (Zillow), versus $524,900 in New York and $575,100 in New Jersey.

Jump to: 💲 Taxes · 🏠 Home prices · ⏱️ Mortgage rates · 🪜 Costs to plan for · 🤝 Buying or selling · ❓ FAQ

Beycome is based in Miami, so we see this move up close. Here’s why people make it, with the numbers checked, and the parts new owners tend to learn only after they arrive.

1. Is Florida real estate good quality for the price?

For many buyers, yes. Florida has everything from city condos to large homes with yards, and a lot of newer construction. You can find a pool home in the suburbs of Tampa or Orlando for less than a small condo costs in many big northern cities.

The state also sells land it no longer needs. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Real estate in Florida office, the Bureau of Real Estate Services, handles buying, selling and exchanging state lands, including the sale of surplus properties. It’s a niche option, but it shows how much land is still changing hands here.

2. Does Florida have more to offer than retirement?

Florida has long been known for retirees. Now its cities pull in young families and remote workers too. Miami’s museums, design shops and art fairs draw visitors from all over the world each year. Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville have their own art scenes, pro sports and good food.

That mix matters for value. A city that attracts new businesses and events tends to attract new residents, and with them buyers. If Miami is on your list, our guide to the best places to live in Miami for young professionals compares neighborhoods.

3. How much can you save on taxes in Florida?

The big one is income tax. Florida’s constitution (Article VII, Section 5) says the state can’t tax the income of people who live here, apart from a narrow federal-credit case. So residents pay no state income tax. Federal tax still applies.

Property tax is set locally, and it varies by county. The state’s Department of Revenue says a homestead exemption can cut a home’s taxable value by as much as $50,000 when it’s where you live full time. It also puts the home under the Save Our Homes cap on yearly value increases. Move within Florida and part of that savings can often move with you.

Apply with your county property appraiser after you buy. Our guide on finding your Florida property tax number shows where to look up your bill.

4. What are mortgage rates like in Florida right now?

Older articles quoted Florida rates under 4%. Those days are gone. Freddie Mac’s national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 7.32% on October 22, 2026, and 6.68% for a 15-year loan. A year earlier, the 30-year average was 6.19%. Florida rates track the national market, with each lender setting its own.

That makes shopping lenders more important. In Florida, Beycome Mortgage (NMLS #2523620, licensed in Florida only) is one lender you can compare with a bank and a credit union.

5. Are Florida homes cheaper than in other states?

Than many coastal states, yes. Here’s the Zillow Home Value Index, typical value for all homes, in September 2026:

Prices across most of Florida dipped slightly over the year, while New York and New Jersey kept rising. For buyers coming from the Northeast, that gap is a big part of the pull. For a look at where investors are buying, see 4 investment locations in Florida.

6. Are Florida neighborhoods changing?

Yes, and quickly in some places. Older areas in Miami and other cities have seen new restaurants, offices and housing move in where there was little investment for years. That can raise values for owners who bought early.

It has a cost, too. Rising prices can push out people who have lived there for years, and small shops. If you’re buying in an area like this, look at what’s planned nearby, talk to neighbors, and check recent sales on the block, not just the city average.

7. What is the Florida lifestyle really like?

Beaches, golf, theme parks, boating and a lot of time outside. Many homes are in planned communities with pools and clubhouses. Winters are mild, which is the whole point for a lot of buyers.

Summers are hot and wet, though, and that leads to the costs below.

What costs do new Florida buyers underestimate?

Insurance is the big one. Homeowners and flood cover can cost more than buyers expect, so get quotes before you make an offer. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center, so budget for shutters or impact windows if the home doesn’t have them.

Check HOA and condo fees too, plus any special assessments. And plan for air conditioning: it runs most of the year. Our list of 6 things you need to know before buying a house in Florida covers inspections and disclosures.

How do you buy or sell a home in Florida with Beycome?

Buyers can use the Beycome buyer program with no upfront fee. It’s open to every buyer on homes listed by other agents: Beycome keeps 1% of the price (minimum $1,499) and credits the rest of the buyer-agent commission at closing, with lender approval. The credit can’t apply where no buyer-agent commission is offered, like most FSBO homes, or on homes listed by Beycome sellers.

Selling a Florida home to make the move? Our step-by-step guide on how to sell your house by owner in Florida covers the paperwork, and listing your Florida home on the MLS for maximum exposure explains the MLS side. Beycome’s flat fee MLS packages start at $99, with $0 due to Beycome at closing. Beycome Title handles Florida closings from $99.

Comparing states? See why Texas is an excellent state to live and work, or browse all our Florida real estate articles.

Moving to Florida questions