California vs Florida

California

Moderate tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 5 categories

Florida

Low tax burden · COL index 103

Wins 10 categories

Florida has no state income tax. California's top rate is 13.3%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 38% higher than Florida (index 103). The median home in California costs $790K vs $415K in Florida. Politically, Florida voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).

California

Florida

Taxes

13.3%

Income Tax (top rate)

None

0.71%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.77%/yr

8.82%

Sales Tax (avg)

7.02%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

None

Housing & Cost of Living

142

COL Index (100=avg)

103

$790K

Median Home Price

$415K

$2,300/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,900/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$4K/yr

Crime & Safety

499

Violent Crime / 100K

387

2,027

Property Crime / 100K

1,882

Healthcare

#13 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#40 of 50

79.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

77.3 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

13.2%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#20 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#19 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$2,200/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,000/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$175/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$155/mo

$620/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$510/mo

#49 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#26 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+20.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

California

Florida

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