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Florida

Low tax burden · COL index 103

Wins 6 categories

VS

Louisiana

Moderate tax burden · COL index 91

Wins 7 categories

Florida has no state income tax. Louisiana's top rate is 3%. Cost of living in Florida (index 103) runs 13% higher than Louisiana (index 91). The median home in Florida costs $415K vs $215K in Louisiana.

Florida
Louisiana

Taxes

None
Income Tax (top rate)
3%
0.77%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.53%/yr
7.02%
Sales Tax (avg)
9.56%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
None
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

103
COL Index (100=avg)
91
$415K
Median Home Price
$215K
$1,900/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,100/mo
$4K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$3K/yr

Crime & Safety

387
Violent Crime / 100K
587
1,882
Property Crime / 100K
2,426

Healthcare

#40 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#45 of 50
77.3 yrs
Life Expectancy
73 yrs
13.2%
Uninsured Rate
8.5%
No
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#19 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#47 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
Yes

Childcare

$1,000/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$830/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$155/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$100/mo
$510/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$430/mo
#26 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#46 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+13.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+20.0

Category wins

6

Florida

7

Louisiana

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

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People Also Ask

Which is better, Florida or Louisiana?

The ranking assesses states based on eight categories including healthcare, education, and economy. Florida's economy and education were among its highest-scoring categories. Utah claimed the top spot, while Louisiana ranked last.

Why are people leaving Florida in 2026?

Can you live on $3,000 a month in Florida?

Why does your body feel better in Florida?

The Sunshine Advantage. It's not all bad news—Florida's sunshine offers a big advantage. Exposure to natural sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which supports bone health and reduces inflammation.

Full Florida Profile →Full Louisiana Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

Dial in your priorities

Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable