Guides / Property Taxes / Florida

Property Taxes in Florida

Effective Rate

Florida's average effective property tax rate is roughly 0.79%–0.86% of assessed home value (most consistently cited figure ~0.80%), noticeably below the ~0.99% U.S. national average — making Florida one of the more property-tax-friendly states despite its lack of a state income tax. There is meaningful county-level variation: rates range from lows around 0.44%–0.56% (Holmes, Walton, Monroe/Collier counties) up to 0.93%–1.07% in higher-tax counties like Alachua, Broward, and St. Lucie. Coastal/tourist counties with high property values but heavy commercial and tourist tax bases tend to have lower effective rates, while some inland/urban counties run higher. Note: because Florida relies heavily on property tax revenue (property taxes make up about 34.8% of state and local tax collections per the Tax Foundation), and post-pandemic home values have risen sharply, actual dollar tax bills have climbed even where the effective rate itself is stable or falling slightly.

Example: For a median-valued Florida home (roughly $290,000–$325,000 depending on the data source/year), the typical annual property tax bill lands in the $2,500–$3,500 range. Commonly cited current figures: ~$2,513–$2,555/year at the median home value using the ~0.79%–0.86% effective rate, though some 2026 estimates (using a higher ~$3,494 figure) reflect increased home values in higher-cost markets — actual bills vary widely by county and whether the homeowner has a homestead exemption and Save Our Homes assessment cap in place.

Exemptions

Homestead Exemption
Amount: Up to $50,722 (2025) / approximately $51,411 (2026, after CPI adjustment)
Applies to a Florida resident's primary/permanent residence. Structured in two tiers: a $25,000 exemption applies to the first $25,000 of assessed value and reduces ALL property taxes including school district levies; a second exemption (originally $25,000, now CPI-adjusted upward — $25,722 for 2025, ~$26,411 for 2026 per Florida Amendment 5 passed Nov. 2024) applies to assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000 but does NOT reduce school district taxes. Must file with the county Property Appraiser (deadline typically March 1).
Save Our Homes (SOH) Assessment Cap
Amount: Caps annual increase in assessed value at 3% or the CPI, whichever is lower
Not a dollar exemption but a limit on how fast a homesteaded property's taxable assessed value can rise year-over-year, even if market value jumps much higher. Creates significant long-term savings for long-tenured homeowners and is 'portable' — up to $500,000 of accumulated SOH savings can be transferred to a new Florida homestead property.
Additional Senior (Low-Income 65+) Exemption
Amount: Up to an additional $50,000 off assessed value (county/city option)
Available to homeowners 65 or older with household adjusted gross income below a set annual threshold (approximately $38,686 for the 2026 filing year, adjusted annually for inflation). Requires annual re-application/income verification by March 1 each year; offered at the option of individual counties and municipalities, so availability and exact amount can vary by locality. Additional exemptions also exist for veterans, disabled persons, and surviving spouses of first responders.

Figures vary meaningfully by source and by which tax year's data is being cited (assessed-value effective rates from sites like SmartAsset/Tax Foundation range roughly 0.78%-0.86%, while some 2026 projections citing rising millage rates in fast-growth counties like Miami-Dade, Pinellas, and Lee run slightly higher). Practical tip: Florida's real advantage is layered relief — combining the homestead exemption with the Save Our Homes cap and portability can cut a long-term owner's taxable value far below market value, so two neighboring homes of identical market value can have very different tax bills depending on purchase date and homestead status. Always verify current-year figures directly with the relevant county Property Appraiser's office, since exemption dollar amounts are now CPI-adjusted annually (per 2024's Amendment 5) and county millage rates are independently set each budget cycle.

Facts on this page reflect research current as of 2026-07-05. Programs, rates, and laws change — confirm current figures with the relevant state agency before relying on them.

Related Resources
Down Payment Assistance in FloridaTransfer Tax & Closing Costs in FloridaBuyer-Agent Agreements in FloridaSeller Disclosure Laws in FloridaFind Agents in FloridaHome Affordability Calculator