Ohio taxes most retirement income including IRA distributions and pension income. Florida does not. Here is the income tax, property tax, and total cost comparison.
Ohio sends a steady stream of retirees to Northeast Florida — the I-75 / I-95 route from Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland to St. Augustine is well-traveled. The financial case is clear on both income tax and property tax. Ohio taxes most retirement income (with partial Social Security exemption depending on income level), runs effective property tax rates of 1.2%–2.0% in most metro areas, and has no Save Our Homes-style cap on annual assessment increases. Florida improves all three.
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Talk to a Specialist →| Taxable Retirement Income (ex-SS) | Est. Ohio Tax (at ~3.2% blended) | Florida Tax | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | ~$1,280 | $0 | ~$1,280 |
| $60,000 | ~$1,920 | $0 | ~$1,920 |
| $80,000 | ~$2,560 | $0 | ~$2,560 |
| $100,000 | ~$3,200 | $0 | ~$3,200 |
Ohio effective property tax rates average 1.3%–1.8% depending on the county and municipality, with Columbus (Franklin County), Cleveland (Cuyahoga), and Cincinnati (Hamilton County) metro areas commonly in the 1.4%–2.0% range. On a $350,000 Ohio home, annual property tax commonly runs $4,900–$7,000.
| Home Value | Ohio Property Tax (est. 1.6%) | St. Johns County Year-1 Tax | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $5,600 | $4,041 | $1,559 |
| $425,000 | $6,800 | $5,051 | $1,749 |
| $500,000 | $8,000 | $6,062 | $1,938 |
The property tax savings are real but more modest than the NJ or NY comparison — Ohio rates are high but not the national extreme. The income tax savings and the Save Our Homes cap (which protects your Florida bill from future increases) add meaningfully to the long-term financial case.
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| Category | Annual Savings | 10-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax (on $70K taxable retirement income) | ~$2,200 | ~$22,000 |
| Property tax (on $425K home, average of years 1–10) | ~$1,500 | ~$15,000 |
| Combined estimate | ~$3,700 | ~$37,000 |
This does not account for CDD fees at communities like Parkland Preserve ($23,900–$39,240 over 10 years), which would reduce the net savings. At Reverie at Silverleaf (no CDD), the savings picture is cleaner. Run the numbers for the specific community you are considering.
Ohio buyers tend to be practical value-seekers — they want a clear answer to "what does this cost" and they are skeptical of communities that cannot or will not give them a straight answer. The communities with the most transparent cost structures in this market: Reverie at Silverleaf (no CDD, confirmed HOA) and Parkland Preserve (confirmed CDD range — verify your specific parcel).
The drive from Ohio to St. Augustine is approximately 14–18 hours depending on origin city — manageable as a two-day road trip, and direct flights to Jacksonville from Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati make the logistics straightforward once you are settled.
Ohio buyers often find that the combination of income tax and property tax savings pays for a meaningful part of their Florida carrying costs within 5–7 years. An agent can run the comparison for your specific income and home price situation.
Connect with a Local Agent →Ohio income tax rates 2025: graduated to 3.99%. Social Security exempt in Ohio. Property tax rates approximate — vary by county and municipality. St. Johns County millage 13.47 mills. Consult a CPA for your specific situation. This page is for research purposes only.
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