New York sends more people to Florida than any other state. Central Florida keeps showing up as one of their top landing spots. If you are one of them, this guide covers what the move really covers. You will see the real cost difference. You will see which parts of Central Florida are growing fastest right now. You will also see how a full-service team handles a purchase while you are still packing boxes six states away.
Why New Yorkers keep looking at Central Florida
Cost and taxes drive most of this move. Florida has no state income tax. New York's state income tax runs from 4.75 percent to 10.9 percent, depending on income. That gap alone can mean thousands of dollars back in your pocket every year, before you even compare home prices.
New York sent more households to Florida than any other state in 2025. Census Bureau migration estimates from America's Dashboard put the number at roughly 119,800 households. Redfin's home search data backs this up. From January through March 2026, New York was the metro area homebuyers searched to leave more than any other. Orlando was the single most searched destination among relocating buyers nationwide during that same window.
The story is not simple growth everywhere you look. Florida's overall net domestic migration has slowed sharply. It fell to roughly 22,500 people in 2025 after peaking near 311,000 in 2022, according to Census Bureau data reported by Newsweek. Fewer people are moving to Florida overall than during the pandemic years. New York still remains the top state sending them here.
What your money buys here versus New York
A typical home in New York sold for 526,267 dollars in May 2026, according to Redfin. The median home in Orlando sold for 410,000 dollars that same month, also per Redfin. That is a gap of more than 116,000 dollars for a similar home.
| Metric | New York | Central Florida | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price (May 2026) | $526,267 | $410,000 (Orlando) | Redfin |
| State income tax | 4.75%–10.9% | 0% | State tax data via Miami REALTORS® |
| Households moving to FL from NY (2025) | ~119,800 | America's Dashboard / Census Bureau | |
| Overall cost of living vs. NYC | 43% lower in Orlando | Expatistan, July 2026 | |
Cost of living tells a similar story. Orlando runs 43 percent cheaper than New York City overall, according to Expatistan's July 2026 comparison. That figure factors in housing, groceries, and everyday expenses.
Property taxes work differently too. Florida homeowners who make a property their primary residence can apply for the homestead exemption. This exemption reduces the taxable value of the home and caps how much the assessed value can rise each year. New York's system varies more by county and school district, so a direct comparison depends on where you are moving from.
Where to look first inside Central Florida
Not every part of Central Florida is growing the same way right now. Orange and Seminole counties, home to Orlando, Winter Garden, and Windermere, saw a small net outflow of domestic movers in 2025. That comes from the Orlando Economic Partnership's analysis of new Census data. Many of those people did not leave the region. They moved to Lake and Osceola counties instead, chasing lower prices in cities like Clermont, Minneola, Montverde, and Davenport.
For a New York buyer, that split matters. Say you want an established neighborhood with more inventory and a shorter commute into Orlando's job centers. Windermere real estate agent listings still cover strong options in Orange County. Say your budget is tighter, or you want new construction instead. Clermont real estate agent listings and the surrounding Lake County cities are where more of the recent growth has landed.
How the Erica Diaz Team makes a long-distance move easier
Buying a home from six states away is different from buying down the street. The Erica Diaz Team built its process around that gap. The team filters every listing search to your actual criteria instead of handing you a generic search of everything on the market. The team also gives live virtual walkthroughs of homes so you can see a property in real time before booking a flight down.
The Erica Diaz Team has helped families complete an entire purchase virtually. One client review describes never setting foot in Florida until closing day. That includes coordinating inspections and connecting you with a local lender. The team also manages the closing timeline while you are still in New York handling your own sale or lease.
Full-service also means the relationship does not stop at the signature. The team supports Central Florida homes for sale searches with school research, neighborhood comparisons, and ongoing local knowledge that a national relocation service cannot match. Every agent on the team lives and works in the market they represent.
Moving From New York? Let's Build Your Central Florida Search.
Get matched with listings that fit your budget and timeline, plus a virtual walkthrough of your top picks before you book a flight.
What the buying process looks like as an out-of-state buyer
You start the same way any buyer does. Get pre-approved with a lender before you seriously search. Since August 2024, buyers in Florida also sign a Buyer Broker Agreement before touring a home with an agent. This agreement spells out how your agent gets paid. It does not lock you into a long-term commitment.
From there, most of the process for a relocating buyer runs on video calls and shared listing links. Once you find the right home, your agent negotiates the offer and handles the inspection. Your agent then works with the lender through the appraisal and final approval. A local title company can handle remote signing through a mobile notary if you cannot be in Florida on closing day.
Questions New York buyers ask most
Is now a good time to buy in Central Florida? Inventory has grown since the tight years of 2021 and 2022. Price growth has cooled too, giving buyers more room to negotiate than they had at the peak.
Can you really buy a home without visiting first? Yes. Live virtual tours and a local agent who represents your interests make it possible to complete a purchase remotely. Most buyers still visit before or shortly after closing to handle moving logistics.
Which area should you choose? It depends on budget and commute. Established Orange County cities like Winter Garden offer shorter drives into Orlando. Lake County cities like Clermont and Minneola currently offer more new construction and more room to negotiate.
The Erica Diaz Team has earned more than 800 five-star reviews across Google and Zillow. The team ranks in the top 1 percent of real estate teams in Florida. The team has closed more than 700 million dollars in Central Florida sales and holds Zillow Premier Agent status. Orlando Business Journal has covered the team's growth directly. For a buyer moving sight unseen from New York, that track record works like a second opinion before you ever land at Orlando International.
Your Central Florida Move Starts With One Call
Talk through your budget, your timeline, and which Central Florida cities fit your next chapter, no matter how many states away you're starting from.
Market and migration figures referenced in this post come from Redfin (May 2026), the U.S. Census Bureau via America's Dashboard (2025 estimates), Newsweek's analysis of Census Bureau migration data (February 2026), the Orlando Economic Partnership (March 2026), and Expatistan (July 2026). Figures reflect data available at time of publication and are subject to change. This post is for general information and is not tax or legal advice.
