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Talk to a Specialist →PA vs Brevard — Where the Savings Are
Pennsylvania is unusual: it exempts Social Security, pensions, and retirement account distributions from its flat 3.07% income tax for retirees. This means the income tax savings from moving to Florida are smaller than from NJ, NY, or CT. The bigger savings come from property taxes: PA averages 1.5% effective rate (with some counties like Chester and Montgomery exceeding 1.8%). Brevard at 0.85% saves $2,600–$3,800/year on a $400K home.
However, PA retirees with significant investment income (dividends, capital gains, rental income) do pay PA's 3.07% flat tax on that income. If your portfolio generates $30,000/year in non-retirement investment income, moving to Florida saves $921/year in state tax on that income alone. Combined with property tax savings, annual savings typically range $3,500–$6,000.
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What PA Buyers Should Know
- Philadelphia-area equity translates well. Median home values in Montgomery County (~$380K), Chester County (~$420K), and Delaware County (~$290K) all support a purchase at Heritage Isle or equivalent Viera communities. Even Pittsburgh-area homes ($200K–$300K) can fund a Barefoot Bay purchase with equity to spare.
- PA has no estate tax floor as generous as Florida's homestead. Florida's homestead exemption protects your primary residence from creditors and provides estate planning advantages that PA's inheritance tax (4.5–15% depending on relationship) does not. For estate planning purposes, Florida domicile is materially better than PA.
- Flights are easy. Philadelphia (PHL) and Pittsburgh (PIT) both have frequent service to MCO (Orlando). Southwest, Frontier, and Spirit offer budget options. MCO to Viera: 55 minutes.
- The Wawa gap is real. PA retirees will notice the absence of Wawa in Brevard County. (They are expanding in Florida but concentrated in South Florida and Orlando.) Embrace Publix — Floridians are fiercely loyal to it for good reason.
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