Buying a Home: Texas vs Florida (2026 Comparison)

# Buying a Home: Texas vs Florida (2026 Comparison) Considering a move? This detailed comparison of Texas and Florida real estate markets will help you decide which state offers the best value for your home purchase in 2026. ## Quick Comparison | Factor | Texas | Florida | |--------|------------|------------| | Median Home Price | $350,000 | $400,000 | | Property Tax Rate | 1.58% | 0.79% | | Annual Property Tax | $4,111 | $2,555 | | Closing Costs | $3,713 | $8,492 | | FHA Limit (Floor) | $524,225 | $524,225 | | Days on Market | 52 | 55 | | 1-Year Price Change | -0.50% | -1.20% | | DPA Programs | 3 | 3 | ## Home Prices **Texas is more affordable** with a median home price $50,000 lower than Florida. At current rates (6.33%), here's what your monthly payment would look like at median prices: | State | Home Price | Est. Monthly P&I | |-------|------------|------------------| | Texas | $350,000 | $1,739 | | Florida | $400,000 | $1,987 | *Assumes 20% down payment, 30-year fixed mortgage* ## Property Taxes **Florida has lower property taxes** at 0.79% vs Texas's 1.58%. - Texas ranks #7 nationally - Florida ranks #28 nationally ## Closing Costs | State | Average Closing Costs | % of Price | |-------|----------------------|------------| | Texas | $3,713 | 0.93% | | Florida | $8,492 | 1.82% | ## Down Payment Assistance ### Texas (TDHCA) - **My First Texas Home:** Up to 5% of loan amount - **My Choice Texas Home:** Up to 5% of loan amount ### Florida (Florida Housing) - **Florida Assist:** Up to $10,000 - **Hardest-Hit Fund DPA (HHF-DPA):** Up to $15,000 ## Market Conditions ### Texas - Inventory: moderate - Market Type: Buyer's Market - Price Trend: Declining ### Florida - Inventory: moderate - Market Type: Buyer's Market - Price Trend: Declining ## Total Cost of Homeownership Over 5 years at median home prices: | Cost | Texas | Florida | |------|------------|------------| | Mortgage (P&I) | $104,316 | $119,218 | | Property Taxes | $20,555 | $12,775 | | **5-Year Total** | **$124,871** | **$131,993** | ## Conclusion **Texas offers better overall value** when considering home prices, taxes, and closing costs. Use our state-specific calculators to get detailed estimates for your situation: - [Texas Mortgage Calculator](/mortgage-calculator/texas) - [Florida Mortgage Calculator](/mortgage-calculator/florida) --- *Data sources: Tax Foundation, Zillow, HUD. Last updated: January 2026.*