Loading...
Overall Rating: 96/100 · 1,400,000 veterans (6.5% of population)
None - no state income tax
1.5% average effective rate
Full exemption
No sales tax on groceries and prescriptions
$84,000
VA Medical Center
13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 972-2000
Full service, Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center, Blind rehabilitation, Spinal cord injury, PTSD
VA Medical Center
1201 Northwest 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125
(305) 575-7000
Full service, Emergency department (24/7), PTSD residential rehab, TBI clinic
VA Medical Center
1601 Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 376-1611
Full service, Spinal cord injury center, PTSD treatment
VA Medical Center
10000 Bay Pines Boulevard, Bay Pines, FL 33744
(727) 398-6661
Full service, PTSD clinical team, Geriatric care
VA Medical Center
7305 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410
(561) 422-8262
Full service, PTSD treatment, Telehealth services
VA Medical Center
13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, FL 32827
(407) 631-1000
Newest VA facility in nation, Full service, State-of-the-art
VA Medical Center
10000 Bay Pines Blvd, Bay Pines, FL 33744
(727) 398-6661
Mental health, PTSD, Geriatrics
Tuition waiver
All veterans using GI Bill receive in-state tuition rates
Free tuition
Purple Heart recipients get free tuition at Florida public colleges
4-year value: $28,000
Tuition assistance
Limited supplemental funding available
Median Home
$400,000
1BR Rent
$1,400/mo
COL Index
97
Unemployment
3.2%
Major employers: MacDill AFB, CENTCOM, SOCOM, defense contractors, VA Hospital
Pros: Best VA hospital, MacDill AFB, defense jobs, beaches nearby, no income tax
Cons: Rising housing costs, hurricane risk, hot summers, traffic
Median Home
$380,000
1BR Rent
$1,500/mo
COL Index
98
Unemployment
3.4%
Major employers: Lockheed Martin, VA Medical Center, theme parks, tech companies
Pros: Newest VA medical center, Lockheed Martin jobs, diverse economy, central location
Cons: Tourist traffic, rising costs, hurricane risk, sprawl
Median Home
$335,000
1BR Rent
$1,200/mo
COL Index
93
Unemployment
3.3%
Major employers: NAS Jacksonville, Mayport Naval Station, Boeing, CSX
Pros: Naval presence, affordable, beaches, large veteran community
Cons: High crime in some areas, sprawling city, traffic
Median Home
$280,000
1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL Index
88
Unemployment
3.6%
Major employers: NAS Pensacola, Eglin AFB, VA facilities, tourism
Pros: Most affordable, beautiful beaches, NAS Pensacola, strong military culture
Cons: Hurricane risk, limited job market, remote location
Median Home
$380,000
1BR Rent
$1,300/mo
COL Index
95
Unemployment
3.5%
Major employers: Healthcare, tourism, retail, small businesses
Pros: Beaches, warm climate, growing area, affordable
Cons: Hurricane risk, limited high-paying jobs, traffic
Most veterans considering Florida for relocation pair this with one of these next steps:
Compare side-by-side
Stack Florida against the other 49 states on tax breaks, healthcare, and employment preferences.
Don't skip
State property tax exemptions kick in at specific rating tiers. Get your rating before you relocate.
Quick calculator
Determines which Florida property tax tier you qualify for. 30 seconds.
Buying a home
$0 down, no PMI. Funding fee waived for service-connected veterans.
Sign up for free to use the interactive comparison tool, personalized savings calculator, and moving cost estimator.