The complete financial comparison for CT buyers considering active adult communities in Lee and Collier County — income tax, property tax, and what the numbers actually look like after the move.
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Talk to a Specialist →Connecticut taxes most retirement income including Social Security (partially), pensions above certain thresholds, and IRA distributions. Fairfield County buyers — Greenwich, Westport, Darien, Stamford — are among the highest-income Florida buyers and frequently target Naples over Fort Myers, drawn by the luxury positioning and beachfront access that mirrors Fairfield County's own premium market. Connecticut also imposes a 12% estate tax on estates over $9.1M.
State income tax: 6.99% top bracket → Florida: 0%. Effective property tax rate: 1.79% statewide average → Lee County ~1.10%, Collier County ~0.75%. Annual property tax on $600K CT home: approximately $10,740/yr on $600K home → Lee County ~$5,990–$6,510 → Collier County ~$4,020–$4,920. Estimated annual income tax savings: $4,200–$6,000/yr on $80K retirement income. Florida has no estate tax, no inheritance tax, and no tax on Social Security, pension income, or IRA distributions.
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Connecticut does audit high-income domicile changes, particularly for Fairfield County residents with significant income. The standard domicile change steps apply with extra emphasis on documentation: travel records, Florida professional relationships (doctor, attorney, CPA), and maintaining minimal CT ties. To establish Florida domicile: spend 183+ days per year in Florida, obtain a Florida driver's license, register vehicles in Florida, register to vote in Florida, file a Declaration of Domicile with your Florida county clerk, and update wills, trusts, and estate documents. Work with a tax professional before your first Florida tax year.
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