Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,858 in Washington. Overall, Florida runs roughly 34% cheaper on rent than Washington, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $121,984 in Washington — about 43% higher in Washington. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in Washington
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,858
+50% in Washington
Median Home Value
$320,700
$912,100
+184% in Washington
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$121,984
+76% in Washington
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
53.5°F
+18.3°F in Florida
Florida vs Washington — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Washington?
- Florida is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,235 runs about 34% below Washington's $1,858, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in Washington?
- 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 $74,000 in Washington.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or Washington?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Florida/Washington — 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.