[dreamer1]

O.K.-let's do a comparison. I'll need help from someone who lives in the Central Florida area. Preferably Lakeland since I have heard there are similarities to WNY. My hope is that we can get a real comparison instead of hearing folks complain about the cost of living in Florida.

WNY Home price for 1800 Sq ft home-new-$210,000
Federal Income Tax-yes
State Income Tax-yes
Sales Tax-8.75%
Property tax on 1800 Sqft home-$5,500
Home insurance-$500(I know this one will be fun to compare)
Gas prices-$2.39 per gallon
Avg Heating bill-$180 per month
Avg Electric bill-$80 per month

[vpcats]

I don't know about new home prices in the Lakeland or Central Fla area. Maybe about $200 - 250K? I'd like to know this figure also.
Fed tax -- YES
State --NOOOOO
Sales - 7%. 6% in some areas
Property tax - depends on purchase price - 1.5%? Homestead after 1 year if primary residence
Home Insurance. Well..... THAT one will make up for all the other NOs. They've just approved a bill that will lower HOI by 5-20% -. That's just about the dumbest thing I ever heard after all the hoopla. We only got like between 100-300% increases so where's the decrease??????
Gasoline - I saw $2.15 today
A/C....between 120 to 300/mth, depending on time of year. No real heating bill here. I'm in Miami.
Water separate.

Food, medical, clothing, entertainment, car insurance, etc. etc. etc. You still gotta live :-)

[pianogal]

I can't do it for Lakeland, but I'll give it a shot for Orlando.....

Orlando price for 1800 Sq ft -New Ryland home in Avalon Park (upscale community with its own businesses, town center, schools, etc) - $330,000

Federal Income Tax-yes
State Income Tax- No

Sales Tax- 6.5%

Property tax on 1800 Sqft home- about 5500.00 with homestead exemption
Home insurance- about $1100 (based on my ins. price adjusted for less square feet)

Gas prices-$2.09 per gallon
Avg Heating bill-$00
Avg Electric bill-$200 per month (based on the bill in my previous home which was 1800 square feet)

Looks like the biggest difference is the cost of the new home and state income tax. Would the state income tax offset the extra 120K cost in the home? I doubt it.

[sunrico90]

[quote=dreamer1;306738]
I'm in the northwest Florida:

WNY Home price for 1800 Sq ft home-new-$200,000
Federal Income Tax-yes
State Income ZERO
Sales Tax-8.75% our 6.50
Property tax on 1800 Sqft home-$5,500 ours on $200K is $2,635.48
Home insurance-$500(I know this one will be fun to compare) I pay $1,500
Gas prices-$2.39 per gallon ---$1.97 just fill-up the SUV
Avg Heating bill-$180 per month both are combine in the electrical bill $180.00
Avg Electric bill-$80 per month see above