Florida
Low tax burden · COL index 103
Wins 3 categories
Iowa
Moderate tax burden · COL index 88
Wins 10 categories
Florida has no state income tax. Iowa's top rate is 3.8%. Cost of living in Florida (index 103) runs 17% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs Florida's 0.77%. The median home in Florida costs $415K vs $215K in Iowa.
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Housing & Cost of Living
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Category wins
3
Florida
10
Iowa
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Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Is it cheaper to live in Iowa or Florida?
Key insight: Living in Des Moines, IA is -5.3% less expensive than living in Orlando, FL. To sustain your current lifestyle, you would need a salary of $56,826. Additionally, employers in Des Moines generally offer 4.0% higher salaries compared to those in Orlando.
Why are people leaving Florida in 2026?
Can you live comfortably on $50,000 a year in Florida?
If you're single and making $50,000 a year, you likely have enough to cover your basic needs. This is particularly true in suburbs and smaller cities, such as Jacksonville, Florida; Birmingham, Alabama; and Toledo, Ohio, where the cost of living is lower than the national average.
Can you live on $3,000 a month in Florida?