Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,978 in Massachusetts. Overall, Florida runs roughly 38% cheaper on rent than Massachusetts, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $94,755 in Massachusetts — about 27% higher in Massachusetts. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in Massachusetts
Income Tax (top rate)
None
9.00%
+9.0 pp in Massachusetts
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,978
+60% in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
$320,700
$710,400
+122% in Massachusetts
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$94,755
+37% in Massachusetts
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
51.5°F
+20.3°F in Florida
Florida vs Massachusetts — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Massachusetts?
- Florida is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,235 runs about 38% below Massachusetts's $1,978, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in Massachusetts?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Florida versus $79,000 in Massachusetts.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or Massachusetts?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Florida/Massachusetts — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.