Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Georgia to Florida
Georgia and Florida have very similar property tax rates — Georgia at 0.92% and Florida at 0.86% effective rate. On a $400,000 home, the difference is modest: approximately $3,680/year in Georgia versus $3,440 in Florida — a saving of just $240/year. The bigger tax difference is income tax: Georgia charges a flat 5.49% (transitioning from 5.75% under a gradual reduction plan), while Florida has no state income tax. For retirees and working professionals, Florida's income tax advantage is the dominant financial factor. Georgia does offer generous retirement income exemptions that reduce its effective burden for retirees specifically.
Avg Effective Rate
Below national average; homestead exemption available; Atlanta metro varies
Avg Effective Rate
Save Our Homes cap 3%; homestead exemption $50K; no income tax
At $400,000 home income:
Florida saves on property tax
| Income | GA Tax | FL Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 home | $2,300 | $2,150 | $150 | $1,500 |
| $350,000 home | $3,220 | $3,010 | $210 | $2,100 |
| $400,000 home | $3,680 | $3,440 | $240 | $2,400 |
| $500,000 home | $4,600 | $4,300 | $300 | $3,000 |
| $700,000 home | $6,440 | $6,020 | $420 | $4,200 |
| $1,000,000 home | $9,200 | $8,600 | $600 | $6,000 |
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Moving from Georgia to Florida (or considering it)? Georgia's retirement income exemptions, Florida domicile requirements, partial-year returns, and maximising your tax savings need professional guidance. Get matched with a CPA who specialises in Southeast state moves.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
Get Matched With a CPA →Florida is generally better for retirees with significant income: no state income tax versus Georgia's 5.49% flat rate. A retiree with $80,000 in taxable income saves approximately $3,840/year in state income tax by living in Florida. Georgia partially offsets this with generous retirement income exemptions: taxpayers 65+ can exclude up to $65,000 each ($130,000 per couple) of retirement income (pensions, 401k/IRA distributions, Social Security) from Georgia income tax. A Georgia retiree with income primarily from these exempt sources may pay little to no Georgia income tax — making the states broadly comparable for retirees with $130,000 or less in qualifying retirement income per couple.
Georgia allows taxpayers aged 62–64 to exclude $35,000 of retirement income per person from state income tax. At age 65+, the exclusion increases to $65,000 per person ($130,000 per couple). Qualifying income includes: pension/annuity income, IRA and 401(k) distributions, Social Security (which Georgia does not tax at all regardless of age), and certain interest and dividend income. For a couple both aged 65+ with $130,000 in total qualifying retirement income, the Georgia income tax liability is approximately $0. This makes Georgia significantly more competitive with Florida for retirees than the headline 5.49% rate suggests.
Georgia property tax rates vary significantly by county. Low-rate areas: Forsyth County (north Atlanta suburbs) approximately 0.65–0.75%; Cherokee County approximately 0.75%; Hall County (Gainesville) approximately 0.82%. Higher-rate areas: Fulton County (Atlanta) approximately 1.1%; DeKalb County approximately 1.2%; Clayton County approximately 1.2%. The Georgia homestead exemption reduces the assessed value by $2,000 (state base) with additional county and school exemptions available — often totalling $10,000–$20,000 off assessed value depending on locality.
Both states are experiencing rapid population and housing price growth, which affects property tax differently. Florida's Save Our Homes cap (3% annual limit on assessed value increases for homesteaded properties) protects existing owners from rapid tax increases — but new buyers pay full market value. Georgia's tax digest is reassessed more frequently, but local millage rates adjust when revenue increases, keeping effective rates more stable. In rapidly appreciating Atlanta suburbs, new buyers may face higher effective rates than longtime owners. Florida's homestead protection mechanism is stronger for long-term residents in appreciating markets.