In the article published on July 14th we explored curiosities about Florida. One is that you will never be more than 90km from the sea, no matter where you are in the state. Does this luxury increase the cost of living in the Sunshine State? We will see!
It is worth remembering that, as anywhere in the world, the cost of living in Florida will be different depending on your lifestyle, the number of people in your family, the area you choose to live in, etc.
Tax
In the USA, the Sales Tax is usually not included in the price of the merchandise. This tax is usually calculated at the cash register, and the amount depends on the state and municipality. The average sales tax in Florida is around 6%, and is among the lowest 20 in the US, far below states like California, New York and Texas. The Florida home sales rate is also lower than the country average, only 1.1%.
Some taxes are a little more expensive in Florida, such as fuel and communication services, which can reach 11%. However, one of the biggest advantages of the Sunshine State is that the state does not collect income taxes, making its dollars more profitable than in other states in the country.
Health and sports
The cost of a medical consultation with a general practitioner can be up to $ 50 cheaper depending on where you live. The averages can range from $ 96 in Miami to $ 136 in Jacksonville. The price around Orlando and Tampa is closer to the average, around $ 112.
Florida has several professional sports teams, including three American football, two baseball, two basketball, two ice hockey (!) And one soccer. The price of tickets for sporting events depends on the popularity of the team and the time of year. Tickets cost an average of $ 40 for hockey games, $ 65 for American football and around $ 30 for baseball or soccer. Basketball teams Orlando Magic and Miami Heat offer tickets with an average price of $ 42 and $ 78 respectively.
Light and water, food and transport
In most of the state, water and sewage are not paid for, with the exception of houses with septic tanks. On average, the electricity bill in Florida costs around $ 129.86 per month, a little high compared to other states in the USA. The cost of food for an adult alone, with a modest but adequate lifestyle, is estimated at $ 271, which is below the national average.
Florida does not have a good public transport network, but big cities like Orlando and Jacksonville offer unlimited public transport for $ 50 a month. In Miami, expect to pay more than double: $ 112.50 for a monthly pass.
In general, the best transportation option in the Sunshine State is to use your own car as, in Florida, the price of gasoline per gallon (approximately 3.8 liters) is only $ 2,062.
Home
Florida rentals are very different according to location. On average, monthly rent in the state costs $ 1,150 for a studio, $ 1,233 for a one-bedroom apartment, $ 1,587 for two and $ 1,839 for three bedrooms.
If you want to buy a home, now is the time. The cost of property in Florida fell sharply during the housing crisis a few years ago, but it is recovering well and prices are rising again.
Another factor to consider is the financing, which can increase the final cost of your property. Interest rates vary from city to city and from bank to bank. In addition, there are relevant taxes and documentation that need to be provided. At these times, the best tactic is to use professional services to navigate this process, such as those offered by Florida Connexion and Welcome Home.
Are you thinking of moving to Florida? Contact us!
Sources:
https://taxfoundation.org/state-and-local-sales-tax-rates-2015/
https://taxfoundation.org/individual-income-tax-collections-per-capita/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_in_Florida
http://media.miamiherald.com/static/media/projects/pin/how-much-is-enough/
https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-cost-of-living-in-florida
https://www.stateoffloridaliving.com/cost-living-florida/
http://www.payscale.com/cost-of-living-calculator/Florida-Miami
