Florida vs Georgia Paycheck Comparison 2026

Annual salary

$

Annual salary

$
Additional options (filing status, deductions)
Filing status
$
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$2,994 /yr more take-home in Florida

$250/mo · $115 a paycheck.

Florida

Georgia

$61,593/yr in Florida vs $58,599/yr in Georgia.

Florida

Take-home per paycheck

$2,368.94

$61,593/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$61,59382%
Tax rates
Effective: 17.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%

Georgia

Take-home per paycheck

$2,253.79

$58,599/yr · 26x/yr

Federal tax$7,67010%
State tax$2,9944%
Social Security$4,6506%
Medicare$1,0881%
Take-home$58,59978%
Tax rates
Effective: 21.9%Marginal fed: 22.0%Marginal state: 5.0%

What this paycheck affords in Florida vs Georgia

Sized off $5,133/mo take-home in Florida and $4,883/mo in Georgia. Every figure below is a spending rule of thumb, not a tax rule.

Purchasing power

$56,004 is what Florida take-home is worth at Georgia prices

Against $58,599 actually paid in Georgia, leaving Georgia $2,595/yr ahead once cost of living is taken off.

Rent

$333 /mo more for a two-bedroom in Florida

$1,449/mo in Florida, $1,116/mo in Georgia.

Floridaavg 2BR $1,449/mo · 28% of take-home
Georgiaavg 2BR $1,116/mo · 23% of take-home
Comfortable — 30% of take-homeStretch — up to 40%Average two-bedroom

The average two-bedroom takes 28% of take-home in Florida and 23% in Georgia — inside the comfortable range in both.

Buying a home

$75,000 more for the median home in Florida

$385,000 in Florida, $310,000 in Georgia.

Floridabuys up to $279,403 · median $385,000
Georgiabuys up to $279,009 · median $310,000
What the salary supportsMedian home price

The median home is 1.4× what this salary supports in Florida and 1.1× in Georgia. Lenders size a mortgage off gross pay, so the budgets start from $75,000 at a 28% debt-to-income ratio, 6.75% over 30 years, each with its own state property tax rate.

What's left each month

$132 /mo more left over in Georgia

Florida has $1,276/mo spare; Georgia has $1,407/mo spare.

Florida$5,133/mo take-home · $1,276/mo left
Georgia$4,883/mo take-home · $1,407/mo left
HousingGroceriesUtilitiesTransportationHealthcareDining & MiscLeft over

Both paychecks cover the local average for everything. Splitting rent with one roommate would free up $725/mo in Florida and $558/mo in Georgia.

Monthly cost by expense class

Every class on one scale, so housing's share of the month stays visible. Housing is the measured average two-bedroom; the rest are BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey averages moved by each state's cost-of-living index.

Housing$333/mo more in Florida — 30%
Florida$1,449
Georgia$1,116
Groceries$31/mo more in Florida — 7%
Florida$495
Georgia$465
Utilities$9/mo more in Georgia — 3%
Florida$363
Georgia$372
Transportation$33/mo more in Florida — 4%
Florida$798
Georgia$766
Healthcare$19/mo more in Georgia — 5%
Florida$399
Georgia$418
Dining & Misc$13/mo more in Florida — 4%
Florida$352
Georgia$340

Other costs

CostFloridaGeorgia
Regular gas$3.63/gal$3.32/gal
Electricity$111/mo$101/mo
Infant childcare$1,085/mo$989/mo

Childcare sits outside the budget above because it applies to some households and not others — on its own it is 21% of take-home in Florida and 20% in Georgia.

Sources: MERIC/C2ER Cost of Living Index (2025), AAA Fuel Gauge Report (2025), EIA State Electricity Profiles (2024), Child Care Aware of America (2024), Zillow Home Value Index (2025), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)

Estimate based on 2026 tax rates and standard deductions. Does not include local taxes, itemized deductions, tax credits, or other individual circumstances.

Tax system comparison

Florida: Florida has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.

Georgia: Georgia has a flat state income tax of 4.99%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

Take-home pay at different salaries (single filer, 2026)

Salary Florida take-home Georgia take-home Difference
$50,000 $42,355 $40,609 + $1,747
$75,000 $61,593 $58,599 + $2,994
$100,000 $79,180 $74,939 + $4,242
$150,000 $113,791 $107,055 + $6,737
$200,000 $148,927 $139,696 + $9,232
$300,000 $215,177 $200,955 + $14,222

Positive values mean higher take-home in Florida. Assumes single filer, no deductions.

FAQ

Which state has lower taxes, Florida or Georgia?

At a $100,000 salary, Florida results in $4,242 more annual take-home pay. Florida has no state income tax. Residents pay only federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Georgia has a flat state income tax of 4.99%. All taxable income is taxed at the same rate.

How much more do you take home in Florida vs the other state?

The difference depends on salary. At $50,000, the gap is $1,747/yr. At $150,000, it grows to $6,737/yr. At $300,000, the difference is $14,222/yr.

Do Florida and Georgia have the same federal taxes?

Yes. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare are the same in every state. Only state income tax differs. This calculator shows the combined effect of federal and state taxes on your take-home pay.

Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Georgia?

Georgia is cheaper to live in. Cost of living in Florida is 10% higher than in Georgia. Florida's Regional Price Parity is 101.3 and Georgia's is 92.5 (US average = 100).

Is Georgia cheaper than Florida?

Yes. Georgia has a lower cost of living than Florida (index 92.5 vs 101.3). Housing is typically the biggest difference between the two states.

Is Florida more expensive than Georgia?

Yes. Florida has a higher cost of living (index 101.3) compared to Georgia (index 92.5). The national average is 100. Housing costs are typically the largest driver of the difference.

After cost of living, which state is actually cheaper?

At a $100,000 salary, take-home pay of $79,180 in Florida has the purchasing power of $86,713 in Georgia terms. Conversely, $74,939 in Georgia equals $68,429 in Florida terms. After adjusting for both taxes and cost of living, Florida comes out ahead.

Florida vs Georgia cost of living — what's the difference?

The overall cost of living is 9% different between Florida and Georgia. Living costs are about 1% above the national average Living costs are 8% below the national average After taxes and cost of living, Florida gives you more purchasing power on a $100,000 salary.

Do I need to file state tax returns in both Florida and Georgia?

Florida has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. Georgia requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there. Each state has its own tax return form — check your state's department of revenue website for the correct form and e-filing options.

Related tools

Florida Paycheck Estimator · Georgia Paycheck Estimator · All states