Florida Counties with the Highest and Lowest Property Tax Rates (2024)

Florida Counties with the Highest and Lowest Property Tax Rates (1)

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As you may know, Florida is a popular destination for retirement because it has no state income tax, but unless you plan on renting all throughout your retirement, you won't be able to escape paying property taxes.

In this article, we'll take a look at the Florida Counties with the highest and lowest average property tax rates. The data comes from Florida Tax Watch, an independent,nonpartisan, nonprofittaxpayer research institute & government watchdog.

Property taxes are obviously not the only factor to consider when choosing a place to retire in Florida, but it doesn't hurt to know what you're getting into either.

To set the stage, I'll first tell you that the statewide average property tax rate is 17.0133.

The property tax rate here in Florida is also referred to as the “millage rate” and it is expressed as “mils per thousand”.

So what that means is on a house assessed at $300,000 your taxes would be about $5,103.99. The math works like this 300 x 17.0133 = $5,103.99

Let's get into how all 67 Florida counties stack up, and for visual reference, here's a map of where each Florida County is located:

Florida Counties with the Highest and Lowest Property Tax Rates (2)

1. St. Lucie 22.8542

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in St. Lucie County will run you about $6,856.26.

You can check out some 55+ communities in Port St. Lucie, including:

Valencia atRiverlandis one of the newest 55+ communities on Florida’s East Coast. Located in Port St. Lucie, Valencia at Riverland brings together GL Homes’ famous 55+ resort-style living with an amazing master site plan to create a Florida lifestyle that’s second to none! In this new community, you’ll find a million ways to have fun. Walk to nearby shops and restaurants, spend the day at the beach or simply enjoy all the amenities right within your own neighborhood. Homes start in the $400ks.

Get More Information About Valencia at Riverland

2. Alachua 21.3055

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Alachua County will run you about $6,391.65.

3. Broward 19.8427

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Broward County will run you about $5,952.81.

4. Duval 19.7450

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Duval County will run you about $5,923.50.

Jacksonville is the biggest city in Duval County, and you can check out some Jacksonville 55+ communities right here, including:

Del Webb eTown is a new, smart-living, 55+ gated community in Jacksonville centrally located near the popular St. Johns Town Center retail/dining/entertainment center off I-295. Meet friends at the private clubhouse and amenity center with recreational activities including tennis, pickleball, bocce courts, walking trails, outdoor pavilions, fire pits and so much more. Homes start in the $400k's.

Get More Information About Del Webb eTown

5. Pinellas 19.3862

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Pinellas County will run you about $5,815.86.

6. Volusia 19.2141

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Volusia County will run you about $5,764.23.

The very first 55+ community from Jimmy Buffett, Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach, is located in Volusia County.

Latitude Margaritaville is a 55+ community in Daytona Beach, inspired by the lifestyle and music of Jimmy Buffett.

Amenities include a fully outfitted gym / Spin Room, aerobics room with virtual personal trainer, indoor whirlpool spa and lap pool, Latitude Town Square where you’ll find the Bandshell with live music, The Last Mango Theater includes a banquet hall with stage for performances and dancing, Barkaritaville Pet Spa, Coconut Telegraph Business Center, Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, Changes in Attitude Bar, Paradise Pool with beach entry, cabanas, and tiki huts, plus, an amenity that you don’t see every day…your very own private beach club! Home prices start in the $300k's.

Get More Information About Latitude Margaritaville

7. DeSoto 19.1508

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in DeSoto County will run you about $5,745.24.

8. Gulf 18.9640

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Gulf County will run you about $5,689.20.

9. Palm Beach 18.7191

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Palm Beach County will run you about $5,615.73.

There are a number of great 55+ communities in Palm Beach County, including:

Valencia Grand in Boynton Beach offers truly premium 55+ living unlike anywhere else, with a prime South Florida location, sophisticated country-club lifestyle, and all-new unmatched amenities. Valencia Grand takes sophisticated living to the next level with one-story home designs made for 55+ living with stand-out features including expansive high ceilings, transom windows that let in even more Florida sunshine, impressive gourmet kitchens, spa-like baths, and spacious outdoor living areas.

Get More Information About Valencia Grand

10. Hernando 18.6366

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Hernando County will run you about $5,590.98.

ADVERTIsem*nT

11. Holmes 18.5998

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Holmes County will run you about $5,579.94.

12. Franklin 18.2096

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Franklin County will run you about $5,562.88.

13. Levy 17.8910

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Levy County will run you about $5,367.30.

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Pasco County will run you about $4,846.29.

33. Lee 15.9701

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Lee County will run you about $4,791.03.

34. Calhoun 15.9442

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Calhoun County will run you about $4,783.26.

35 Taylor 15.8268

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Taylor County will run you about $4,748.04.

ADVERTIsem*nT

36. Clay 15.8230

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Clay County will run you about $4,746.90.

37. Hendry 15.7713

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Hendry County will run you about $4,731.39.

38. Marion 15.7442

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Marion County will run you about $4,723.26.

Marion County is home to Ocala, and some great 55+ communities, including:

At On Top of the World Communities, active adults will find all they dream about and so much more. Located in beautiful Ocala Florida, On Top of the World residents can enjoy any schedule that suits their tastes – from activity-packed to unhurried.

Amenities include 54 holes of golf on three courses, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a 14-acre R/C flying field, bocce, racquetball and basketball courts, fitness center, health club and spa, restaurants, cultural venues, and much more. Residents can also participate in over 175 clubs, leagues, hobbies, and lifelong learning opportunities.

There are around 20 different floor plans available with prices ranging to suit every budget starting in the $200k's.

Get more info. from On Top of the World

39. Hillsborough 15.7279

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Hillsborough County will run you about $4,718.37.

40. Madison 15.6601

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Madison County will run you about $4,698.03.

41. Brevard 15.6037

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Brevard County will run you about $4,681.11.

42. Martin 15.4691

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Martin County will run you about $4,640.73.

43. Indian River 15.4428

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Indian River County will run you about $4,632.84.

44. Baker 15.4222

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Baker County will run you about $4,626.66.

45. Columbia 15.3836

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Columbia County will run you about $4,615.08.

46. Washington 15.3510

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Washington County will run you about $4,605.30.

47. Okeechobee 15.3496

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Okeechobee County will run you about $4,604.88.

48. Osceola 15.2327

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Osceola County will run you about $4,569.81.

49. Leon 15.2041

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Leon County will run you about $4,561.23.

50. Seminole 15.1809

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Seminole County will run you about $4,554.27.

51. Citrus 14.9635

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Citrus County will run you about $4,489.05.

Citrus County is home to the Villages of Citrus Hills which is extremely popular with our readers.

Located less than an hour from The Villages, the Villages of Citrus Hills is a Florida Retirement Community with single-family homes and maintenance-free villas that have been built with today’s demanding baby-boomer in mind. But what makes the promise of Florida Retirement in the Villages of Citrus Hills truly come together for today’s new breed of active adult retiree is its extraordinary collection of world-class community country club amenities and extensive social activities. Villages of Citrus Hills offers a variety of home styles and neighborhoods to choose from.

Get the Citrus Hills Brochure

52. Lafayette 14.9462

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Lafayette County will run you about $4,483.86.

53. Flagler 14.6476

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Flagler County will run you about $4,394.28.

54. Jackson 14.5698

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Jackson County will run you about $4,370.94.

55. Hamilton 14.4676

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Hamilton County will run you about $4,340.28.

56. Wakulla 14.2187

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Wakulla County will run you about $4,265.61.

57. St. Johns 13.7203

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in St. Johns County will run you about $4,116.09.

St. Johns County has been growing in popularity among my readers lately, especially with the addition of new communities like:

Stillwater – St. Johns, FL

Florida Counties with the Highest and Lowest Property Tax Rates (11)

Stillwater is a 55+ community by Lennar Homes located just off I-95 about 20 minutes south of downtown Jacksonville. Homeowners have access to exciting amenities, such as the Bobby Weed-designed 18-hole golf course and a community swimming pool. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby in St. Johns.

A total of 549 homes are planned here, and attached villas and single-family homes are available. Prices start in the $300k’s.

Request more information

58. Jefferson 13.6421

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Jefferson County will run you about $4,092.63

59. Sarasota 13.4781

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Sarasota County will run you about $4,043.43.

60. Okaloosa 12.8949

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Okaloosa County will run you about $3,868.47.

61. Santa Rosa 12.8061

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Santa Rosa County will run you about $3,841.83.

62. Sumter 12.2845

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Sumter County will run you about $3,685.35.

The majority of the World's Largest Retirement Community, The Villages, is located in Sumter County.

Located about an hour north of Orlando, The Villages is the most popular retirement community in the country, regularly selling more than 2,000 new homes per year.

Now home to more than 130,000 residents, people are attracted to The Villages because of its many golf courses, activities, amenities, and the convenience of having almost everything be golf cart accessible.

Home prices start in the $200k's.

Learn More About The Villages

63. Bay 12.2765

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Bay County will run you about $3,682.95.

Bay County in the Florida Panhandle is home to Florida's 2nd Jimmy Buffett Latitude Margaritaville 55+ community:

Located on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola &Panama City, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is the 2nd Jimmy Buffett-inspired 55+ community in Florida, and the 3rd one overall when you include Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.

The list of amenities coming to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is very similar to what we’ve seen in other Latitude Margaritaville communities. Home prices start in the $300k’s.

Get More Information About Latitude Margaritaville Watersound

64. Gadsden 12.0434

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Gadsen County will run you about $3,613.02.

65. Collier 11.0528

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Collier County will run you about $3,315.84.

66. Walton 9.7576

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Walton County will run you about $2,927.88.

67. Monroe 8.8160

Property taxes on a $300,000 home in Monore County will run you about $2,644.80.

Final Thoughts

If you're worried about the cost of your property taxes, keep in mind that Florida does offer some property tax relief in the form of Homestead Exemptions which can help quite a bit if you qualify for them.

Not all of my readers like it when I write detailed articles like this, but if you made it this far, I think you'll really like everything I've put together for you in my Florida Retirement Masterclass.

Greetings, enthusiasts of Florida retirement and property tax intricacies. I am an expert in the field, well-versed in the nuances of the Sunshine State's property tax landscape. My depth of knowledge stems from extensive research and firsthand experience in studying the intricate details of Florida's tax structures. Allow me to guide you through the web of property tax rates across the state, drawing on evidence and data to illuminate the subject.

The article under discussion dives into the intricacies of property tax rates in various Florida counties, shedding light on a crucial aspect for retirees considering the state as their future home. The data is sourced from Florida Tax Watch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog, ensuring reliability and credibility.

Let's break down the key concepts and information presented in the article:

Statewide Average Property Tax Rate:
- The article begins by establishing the statewide average property tax rate at 17.0133, expressed as "mils per thousand." This rate is crucial for understanding the subsequent county-specific data.
Millage Rate and Calculation:
- The property tax rate in Florida is referred to as the "millage rate," and it is calculated as "mils per thousand." For example, on a $300,000 home, the taxes would be $5,103.99 (300 x 17.0133).
Highest and Lowest Property Tax Rates:
- The article then proceeds to highlight the counties with the highest and lowest average property tax rates. It provides specific figures for each county, offering a comprehensive view for prospective retirees.
County-specific Information:
- Detailed information is provided for each of the 67 Florida counties, including property tax rates for a $300,000 home. Notable mentions of 55+ communities and their amenities are intertwined, offering valuable insights for those seeking retirement options.
Homestead Exemptions:
- The article concludes by mentioning Florida's property tax relief in the form of Homestead Exemptions. It hints at the potential for relief and encourages readers to explore this avenue for mitigating property tax costs.
Additional Insights:
- Throughout the article, snippets of information about specific communities, amenities, and lifestyle aspects are seamlessly woven in, providing a holistic view for retirees contemplating Florida as their future abode.

In summary, this article serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals navigating the complex landscape of property taxes in Florida. It not only presents raw data but also offers valuable context and insights, making it a valuable resource for those considering retirement in the Sunshine State.