Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Florida to Ohio
Florida and Ohio are a common comparison for Midwesterners considering a warmer retirement or relocation. Florida's advantage is clear: zero state income tax, zero local income tax. Ohio's situation is more complicated than most people realise. Ohio has a modest state income tax (0–3.5%) with the first $26,050 exempt and Social Security excluded. But Ohio also has a unique municipal income tax system: most major Ohio cities levy their own income tax on top of the state rate. Columbus, Akron, and Toledo charge 2.5%; Cleveland charges 2%; Cincinnati charges 1.8%. A Columbus resident earning $100,000 pays approximately $2,600 in state income tax plus $2,500 in city income tax — a combined $5,100/year. Florida residents pay zero. On property tax, Ohio (~1.4% average) is meaningfully cheaper than Florida (~0.86%) in the opposite direction: Florida's property tax is actually lower. However, Florida's property insurance crisis ($4,000–$8,000+/year) more than offsets the property tax advantage for homeowners in many Florida counties. For working-age earners and remote workers in major Ohio cities, the Florida income tax saving is significant. For retirees, Ohio's $26,050 exemption and Social Security exclusion reduce the gap considerably.
No State Income Tax
Zero state income tax on all income sources; no local income tax
State + City Income Tax in Urban Areas
Progressive 0–3.5% state rate; first $26,050 exempt; most major cities levy additional 1–3% local income tax
At $100,000 income:
Florida saves ~$2,600/year vs Ohio state income tax at $100K. Urban Ohio residents also pay city income tax: Columbus 2.5% (~$2,500/yr), Cleveland 2% (~$2,000/yr), Cincinnati 1.8% (~$1,800/yr). Total Florida saving vs Columbus: ~$5,100/year. Rural Ohio (no city tax): ~$2,600/year.
| Income | FL Tax | OH Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $0 | ~$840 state (+ city if urban) | FL saves ~$840/yr state; ~$2,090 if in Columbus | $8,400–$20,900 |
| $75,000 | $0 | ~$1,720 state (+ city if urban) | FL saves ~$1,720/yr state; ~$3,595 if in Columbus | $17,200–$35,950 |
| $100,000 | $0 | ~$2,595 state (+ city if urban) | FL saves ~$2,595/yr state; ~$5,095 if in Columbus | $25,950–$50,950 |
| $150,000 | $0 | ~$4,345 state (+ city if urban) | FL saves ~$4,345/yr state; ~$8,095 if in Columbus | $43,450–$80,950 |
| $250,000 | $0 | ~$7,845 state (+ city if urban) | FL saves ~$7,845/yr state; ~$14,095 if in Columbus | $78,450–$140,950 |
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Ohio's multi-layer income tax system (state + city) requires careful modelling before and after a move. Whether you're relocating to Florida or optimising in Ohio, Taxhub matches you with a CPA who handles interstate residency changes. Virtual meetings, fixed pricing.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
Get Matched With a State Tax CPA →Ohio state income tax does not apply to Social Security. However, Ohio's municipal income tax rules vary by city. Most major Ohio cities do not tax Social Security income, but policies differ. Columbus, for example, exempts Social Security from city income tax. However, traditional pension and IRA withdrawals are generally subject to municipal tax in Ohio cities that levy it. If you're a retiree in Columbus drawing from an IRA, you pay both state income tax and 2.5% city income tax on those distributions. A Florida retiree pays nothing. Always check the specific rules for your Ohio municipality.
Florida's property insurance market remains in crisis in 2026. Multiple major insurers have exited the state since 2020. Average annual premiums exceed $4,000 statewide; coastal South Florida averages $6,000–$10,000+/year. Many homeowners are insured by Citizens Property Insurance, the state-backed insurer of last resort, which has faced solvency concerns. Ohio property insurance averages $1,100–$2,000/year with no hurricane exposure. For a homeowner moving from Ohio to Florida, the insurance cost increase ($3,000–$6,000/year) is a major expense that must be factored alongside the income tax saving.
The highest Ohio city income tax rates include: Columbus 2.5%, Akron 2.5%, Toledo 2.5%, Dayton 2.5%, Canton 2.5%, Cleveland 2.0%, Cincinnati 1.8%, Youngstown 2.75%. Most Ohioans living in or near major cities pay some combination of state and city income tax. Residents of unincorporated rural areas or smaller municipalities may pay no city income tax at all. If you work in a city but live in a suburb, you may pay partial credit for city taxes — the rules are complex and city-specific.
Ohio's effective property tax rate averages approximately 1.4%; Florida's averages approximately 0.86%. On a $300,000 home: Ohio ≈ $4,200/year; Florida ≈ $2,580/year (before Homestead Exemption) or ~$2,150/year (after $50K Homestead). Ohio's higher property taxes partially offset its income tax advantage. For rural Ohio homeowners, the combined property tax + lower insurance (~$1,500 insurance saving) partially mitigates the income tax difference vs Florida, especially at lower income levels.
For remote workers, Florida is better if income tax minimisation is the priority. At $80,000 in remote income: Florida saves approximately $2,200 (state) + $2,000 (Columbus city) = $4,200/year for an Ohio-Columbus resident who moves to Florida. For those earning $120,000+, the saving exceeds $5,500–$7,000/year. The trade-off is Florida's higher property insurance and hurricane risk. For renters, Florida is a clear winner. For homeowners, the insurance differential reduces but generally doesn't eliminate Florida's advantage at moderate-to-high incomes.
It depends on location. Columbus and Cincinnati have lower housing costs than comparable Florida metros (Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville). However, overall cost of living comparisons must include: income tax (0% vs 3.5%+city), property insurance (FL significantly higher), heating costs (OH significantly higher), housing (comparable or lower in OH), and property tax (higher in OH). For urban professionals earning $80,000–$150,000, the combination of no income tax and Florida's Homestead Exemption makes Florida financially competitive despite the insurance costs, particularly in inland Florida markets (Orlando, Gainesville) where insurance is lower.