Over the last year, Florida and Texas have experienced a massive influx of people into their regions. But, if you’re having trouble deciding whether you should move to one state or the other, it’s essential to know which one may be cheaper to live in—especially if you’re on a tight budget—and of course, more comfortable to live in for the long-term.   

According to a study by the Council for Community and Economic Research, the cost of living in Texas is far lower than that of Florida. When compared against each other, the cost of living in Florida is 11% higher than that of Texas. Texas also boasts of a lower unemployment rate at 4.1% against Florida’s 4.9%.

In the following sections, we will compare these two great states by cost of living and employment rate, as well as other features and amenities you may be looking for while searching for a home—including security, weather, and overall housing—to help you decide which region is best to settle in.  

Cost of Living

While the cost of living in these two states is quite expensive, like any other megacity in the country, it is costlier to live in Florida compared to Texas. A study reveals that living in Florida is 11 percent more expensive than Texas.

When compared to the national average, both Texas and Florida are a little lower than the average cost of living in the US. Data by C2ER shows that Texas is 9% lower, and Florida is just a percent lower than the national average.

More importantly, to live comfortably in the state of Texas, you’ll need to earn around $47,462 versus Florida’s $52,675. However, the area you decide to live in may play a huge role in determining your average cost of living. Areas such as Dallas, TX and Orlando, FL will command a higher cost of living compared to other low-budget areas.

Employment

With the current boom in Texas’ tech industry, coupled with its oil industry, Texas boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the US. With an unemployment rate of 4.1%—below the national average of 4.7%—when compared to Florida’s 4.9%, Texas’ rate is still far lower.

However, the Texas poverty rate of 16.7% is quite higher than that of Florida at 16.1%, although the Texas median household income is $54,727, higher than Florida’s $48,900. 

Housing

When deciding on whether to move to Florida or Texas, the cost of housing is one factor you must consider before making the big move. Whether you’re planning to rent or buy a home, the cost of housing in your chosen state will most likely have an impact on your finances in the long run.

The median price of homes in Texas is around $211,119, as opposed to $252,309 in the state of Florida. Rent prices, although on the increase in Texas, has a median price of around $1,780, which is quite lower than the median rent price in Florida, which starts at $1,032.

When it comes to a building home, the cost of building a custom home in Florida is far more expensive than in the state of Texas. Currently, it will cost you an average of $309,060, with the average cost per square foot around $100-$200 depending on the location and design. However, the cost of building a house in Texas is around $90-$150 per square foot.

Security

One thing synonymous with big cities experiencing a massive influx of people from other areas is the rise in crime rates. While the arrest rates in both states have reduced over the last year, they are still high on the US list of violent and property crimes per 100,000 people.

According to a recent report by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Texas’ violent crime rate is slightly above the national average at 410.9 per 100,000 people. This makes it the second-highest, just behind the state of California. Florida’s violent crime rate, on the other hand, stands at 384.9 per 100,000 people, just within the range of the national average.

While most of the cities within these two states are quite safe, areas such as Lake City and Opa Locka rank as some of the most dangerous areas in Florida. Bellmead in Texas retains the title as the most dangerous city in the Lone Star State.

It’s also worth noting Texas is one of the states with the highest imprisonment rate in the country.

Weather

While both states have similar weather conditions, Texas seems to have a hotter summer due to its low humidity and a vast expanse of dry land running through the state. However, Florida offers a higher humidity due to its closeness to the sea and rivers. In terms of weather conditions compared to other states in the US, both are considered quite uncomfortable during the summer months.

Also, Texas and Florida boast of some of the highest natural disaster rates in the US. Since 1953, Texas has experienced 255 natural disasters as opposed to Florida’s 153. Most of these disasters were from wildfires, hurricanes, and floods.

Final Thoughts

Both the state of Texas and Florida has their pros and cons. While it may be cheaper to live in Texas than the state of Florida in general, the actual cost varies by areas within these states. Your final decision of where you live should be based on your financial situation and long-term goals.