Retirees often save and plan for retirement and then relocate to an area that best matches both their interests and financial abilities. It is the time in a person’s life where it is possible to slow down and enjoy life. Being in that position may lead retirees to wonder which is a better place for retirement – Florida or Texas?
Which is better to retire – Florida or Texas? Florida has a lead over Texas, but not by much.
| Which Is Better? | Florida | Texas |
| Percent of Population Over 65 | 19.8% | 12% |
| Poverty | 10.4% | 10.5% |
| Life Expectancy (Age) | 79.5 | 78.5 |
| Access to Healthcare | Low | Low |
| Crime Compared to National Average | Average | High |
| Weather | Similar | Similar |
| Cost of Living | $61,246.30 | $56,539.81 |
| Sales Tax | 6% and 8% | 6.25% and 8.25% |
There are several considerations when planning retirement. Between Texas and Florida, the differences are not far apart, and many factors can influence your decision. This article will present the different advantages and disadvantages of retiring in both Texas and Florida so that you can make an informed decision about your future home.
Quality of Life: Why It Matters to Retirees
Quality of life matters to senior citizens. Research by Marianne Baernholdt, et.al. “Factors associated with quality of life in older adults in the United States,” discusses the challenges that senior citizens face.
Often, retirees deal with health issues and life changes that impact the feeling of fulfillment. Feeling good about who you are and where you are is essential for enjoying life. Where a person chooses to live lends itself greatly to a sense of their quality of life.
When looking at the potential quality of life between states, it is necessary to consider living conditions and what facilities and organizations are available. For retirees, low crime, access to transportation, and medical facilities are essential.
According to Evan Comen and Samuel Stebbins in the article for USA Today, “Financial Security: Best (and Worst) States to Grow Old In,” this is how Texas and Florida stack up:
Texas
- 12% of the population in Texas is aged 65 or above.
- The poverty rate is 10.5%, which is considered high.
- Life expectancy is 78.5 years.
Texas’s seniors do without supplemental income, which can become a financial difficulty. In Texas, the residents over 65 years of age live in poverty. Texas is the seventh-largest state for seniors in poverty.
Also, Texas struggles with its elderly having access to medical care. Texas rates as one of the worst in the country, with over 30% not having a personal doctor and over 38% having a disability.
Florida
- 19.8% of the population is aged 65 or above
- The poverty rate among seniors is 10.4 percent, which is considered high.
- Life expectancy is 79.5 years.
Florida is popular with retirees. The average age of Floridians is 65 and older, with 19.8% of the population consisting of seniors in this age range. Because of the population dynamics, there is a wide variety of retirement communities available.
However, the poverty rate for senior citizens in the state of Florida is around 10%, so those with just social security and no supplemental income struggle with quality of life because of their finances.
Also, there are only five hospitals to every 100,000 retirees in the state of Florida, which puts Florida as one of the lowest in the nation.
Cost of Summary of Quality of Life
Between the two states, the poverty rate is very similar. However, despite both being rated low for access to healthcare, which significantly impacts the quality of life, Florida does fare slightly better.
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Crime Rates Of Florida And Texas
The crime rate in Florida is lower than Texas, according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but not by much. Both states have crime rates that are higher than most other states in the nation.
Crime rates are related to urban areas, and states that have several larger cities will have a more significant crime rate. Also, there is a link between crime rates and poverty levels.
The 2019 reporting of crime is still preliminary, but the 2018 report is available. For this category, Florida is a clear winner.
Florida
Florida’s crime is in line with the averages for the rest of the nation. There are cities in Florida that are more dangerous than others. Florida City has the most instances of violent crime.
Texas
Texas has one of the highest crime rates in the nation. Consequently, Texas has one of the higher imprisonment rates.
Weather In Florida And Texas
Both Texas and Florida are near the coast and offer miles of beaches for enjoyment. Because they are both so close to the coast, hurricanes are an issue. Florida has the sunniest days, but both states are hot and humid. Because the proximity to the coast is the same and the similar weather, the states tie in this area of consideration.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is comprised of several expenses. The cost of living is how much money a person needs to maintain a particular way of life or standard of living.
Necessary expenses like housing, healthcare, and food are all a part of this overall cost. Since this cost changes from city to city and retirees are often on a fixed income, they need to know if their standard of living will change after moving.
John Csiszar discusses the cost of living for each state in his article titled, “This Is What a Comfortable Retirement Will Cost You in Every State.”
Texas
If you wish to retire in Texas, you could do so comfortably with $56,539.81 a year. The cost of groceries in Texas is very low, as is the price of housing.
Florida
If you want to retire in Florida, plan to have access to $61,246.30 a year. The cost of healthcare in Florida is lower than average, but many other expenses are similar to the rest of the country.
Tax Burden in Both States
Many retirees need to live in a tax-free state, so their savings and income go as far as possible. Some states are more attractive than others in this regard.
Taxes take a chunk out of retirees’ income, and some taxes are more relevant to a retiree. Social Security tax, estate tax, and inheritance taxes are all essential to consider. Also, sales tax matters because the added tax on goods bought decreases spending power.
In the matter of taxes, Texas and Florida are very close.
Texas
| Income Tax | No |
| Social Security Tax | No |
| Inheritance Tax | No |
| Estate Tax | No |
| Sales Tax | 6.25% and 8.25% |
Florida
| Income Tax | No |
| Social Security Tax | No |
| Inheritance Tax | No |
| Estate Tax | No |
| Sales Tax | 6% and 8% |
Summary of Cost of Living Including Taxes
Both states have plenty to offer when it comes to taxes. Florida wins over Texas regarding tax burdens, but Texas has a lower cost of living. Those deciding between the two in this category may find the differences negligible.
In the End
Deciding on where to move for your golden years ends up coming down to personal preference. In the areas that matter to retirees, such as tax burden, both states have plenty to offer. However, in other areas, such as access to health care, both states struggle.
Florida seems to have a small advantage over Texas regarding tax burden and crime rates, but the real consideration might come to where you wish to move in either state. Texas is a massive state, and the living conditions are different between cities, and the same could be said for Florida.
Once you decide which state you feel most suits your needs, look at the city and compare the details from where you are now to where you believe you would like to retire.
