Virginia taxes most retirement income after a modest exemption — including military and federal pensions. Moving to Florida eliminates that. Here is the full comparison.
Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of federal employees, military retirees, and government contractors in the country — particularly in Northern Virginia. For this population, the income tax implications of moving to Florida are meaningful: Virginia taxes pension income including military and federal civil service pensions after only a modest age-based exemption. Florida does not. This is one of the clearest income tax wins among common feeder states to the St. Augustine market.
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Talk to a Specialist →| Annual Retirement Income | VA Taxable Amount (after $12K deduction) | Est. VA Tax (at 5.75%) | Florida Tax | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 pension | $48,000 | ~$2,760 | $0 | ~$2,760 |
| $80,000 pension + IRA | $68,000 | ~$3,910 | $0 | ~$3,910 |
| $100,000 pension + IRA | $88,000 | ~$5,060 | $0 | ~$5,060 |
| $120,000 pension + IRA + investments | $108,000 | ~$6,210 | $0 | ~$6,210 |
These figures use Virginia's top rate of 5.75% on income above $17,000 and assume the $12,000 age-based deduction. Actual VA tax depends on all deductions and credits — consult a CPA for your specific return. The directional savings are meaningful, particularly for federal employees and military retirees with defined-benefit pensions.
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Virginia property taxes vary significantly by locality. Northern Virginia jurisdictions (Fairfax County, Arlington, Loudoun) run $7,000–$15,000+ annually on homes in the $450,000–$700,000 range. Richmond area and Hampton Roads are lower, typically $2,500–$5,500 on comparable homes. St. Johns County at 13.47 mills is competitive with Virginia's lower-rate localities and significantly better than Northern Virginia on an equivalent home price basis.
| Home Value | NoVA Property Tax (est. Fairfax ~1.14%) | St. Johns County Year-1 Tax | Annual Savings vs NoVA |
|---|---|---|---|
| $425,000 | $4,845 | $5,051 | −$206 (NoVA is slightly lower) |
| $500,000 | $5,700 | $6,062 | −$362 (NoVA is slightly lower) |
| $600,000 | $6,840 | $7,409 | −$569 (NoVA is slightly lower) |
Northern Virginia's effective property tax rate in Fairfax County (~1.14%) is actually lower than St. Johns County's effective rate at comparable home values. The overall financial case for NoVA-to-St. Augustine movers runs primarily through income tax savings, not property tax. For buyers from higher-rate Virginia localities (Virginia Beach area, some Richmond suburbs), the property tax comparison is closer to neutral.
The combined value proposition for most Virginia buyers: income tax savings of $2,700–$6,000+/year (depending on retirement income and pension structure) plus property tax roughly equivalent to Northern Virginia rates but protected by the Save Our Homes cap from future increases. The income tax savings typically outweigh any property tax differential within 2–3 years. For military retirees with larger pensions, the annual income tax savings can be $4,000–$8,000 — a compelling number that grows each year.
Virginia buyers — particularly from the DC corridor — tend to expect quality finishes, proximity to good healthcare, and communities with active civic and social programming. They also tend to be sophisticated evaluators who will read HOA financials and ask about reserve funding. WaterSong at RiverTown (scale, river access, dual amenity structure), Reverie at Silverleaf (transparent cost structure, active construction, no CDD).
Virginia buyers — especially federal employees and military retirees — often see their most significant savings in income tax. An agent who understands the full financial picture can help you quantify the move before you commit.
Connect with a Local Agent →Virginia income tax rates 2025: 2%–5.75%. Age-based deduction $12,000 for 65+. Military retirement exemption per HB 1128/SB 615 — verify current phase-in status. Social Security fully exempt in VA. Fairfax County property tax rate approximately 1.14% — varies by locality. St. Johns County millage 13.47 mills. Consult a CPA for your specific situation. This page is for research purposes only.
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