Leaving Illinois. Landing in Florida.
Why families are leaving Illinois for Florida
Illinois combines some of the highest property taxes in the country with an estate tax and a well-publicized state pension crisis, and residents have been voting with their feet for years. Florida offers sunshine, no income tax, and a dramatically lighter property tax burden. For working families and retirees alike, the move has become one of the most popular relocations in the country.
What you will actually save (and what costs more)
This is the heart of it.
- Property tax: Illinois has the second-highest effective property tax rate in the country at roughly 2%, and Cook County and the Chicago suburbs often run higher. Florida averages about 0.8%, and the homestead exemption plus the Save Our Homes cap keep long-term owners' bills predictable.
- Estate tax: Illinois levies an estate tax on estates above $4 million, a threshold that catches more families than expected once you count a home and retirement accounts. Florida has no estate or inheritance tax at all.
- Income tax: Illinois charges a flat 4.95%; Florida charges nothing. Note that both states already exempt retirement income, so this gap matters most for working-age movers.
- Sales tax: Chicago's combined sales tax tops 10%; Florida's runs around 7%.
Honest callout, what costs more: Here is the twist. Florida homes cost more than Illinois homes, with a median around $400,000 versus roughly $270,000 in Illinois, so this move is about taxes and climate, not cheaper real estate. Florida home insurance is also expensive, and hurricane season is real. We would rather you know all of it going in.
Freedom on paper: the laws that actually differ
Beyond taxes, the day-to-day legal and regulatory climate differs in ways Illinois residents notice quickly, from firearm laws to business regulation to how each state manages its budget and pensions. Florida has run a Republican trifecta for years, with no income tax to fund and a lighter regulatory touch. We keep this practical rather than political: the rules you live under change when you cross the line, and for many families that change is a real part of the decision.
A quick tour for Illinois families
- Southwest Gulf Coast (Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota): calm beaches and strong retiree communities.
- Central Florida (The Villages, Orlando suburbs, Lakeland): strong value, master-planned communities, and no coastal insurance premium.
- Northeast Florida (Jacksonville, St. Augustine): lower cost of living and a touch of seasonality.
- Tampa Bay: a big-city job market with beaches close by, popular with Midwest transplants.
What surprises Illinoisans (so nothing surprises you)
Budget for home insurance and get quotes early, since it can offset part of your property tax savings. Property is assessed differently in Florida, so your first-year bill can differ from the prior owner's. And there is a real distinction between being a snowbird and a full resident: establishing Florida domicile is what unlocks the tax benefits and removes you from the Illinois estate tax. We walk clients through all of it.
How to make the move without living it twice
Sell in Illinois, buy right in Florida, and line up the timing so you are not carrying two homes at once. This is exactly what we do: we connect you with a vetted Illinois listing agent and a vetted Florida buyer's agent who coordinate the two closings. One introduction, both ends handled.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to live in Florida than Illinois?
On taxes, yes, dramatically. Florida has no income tax, property taxes roughly a third of Illinois's, and no estate tax. The catch is that Florida home prices are higher than Illinois's, so the savings come from taxes and planning rather than cheaper homes.
Does Florida really have no income tax?
Yes. Florida is one of nine states with no state income tax, including none on retirement income. Illinois also exempts retirement income but charges a flat 4.95% on working income.
How do property taxes in Florida compare to Illinois?
Florida averages about 0.8% of a home's value. Illinois has the second-highest effective rate in the country at roughly 2%, with Cook County and the Chicago suburbs often higher.
Does moving to Florida avoid the Illinois estate tax?
Establishing Florida residency and domicile can remove you from the Illinois estate tax, which applies to estates over $4 million. Florida has no estate tax. It is worth reviewing with an estate attorney, and we can help you get the move started.
Can you help me sell in Illinois and buy in Florida?
Yes, that is exactly what we do. We match you with one vetted agent on each end and coordinate both sides of the move. Our referral service is free to you; we are paid a referral fee by the agent we connect you with, at no additional cost to you, and that agent represents you under their own separate agreement.
Keep exploring your move
Sell in Illinois. Buy in Florida.
One team coordinates both sides of your move so you never have to live it twice. Our referral service is free to you; we are paid by the agent we match you with, at no additional cost.
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