Florida vs. Texas

The timeless question: cowboy boots or flip-flops? Rodeos under the sky or beach bonfires? Today, we compare two popular and geographically diverse states—Texas and Florida.

Both states boast a variety of goodies including thriving economies, year-round sunshine, and an inescapable Southern charm. But below the surface, some significant distinctions might make one option far more suitable for you than another.

This comparative analysis offers a one-stop resource for breaking down these two massive southern states. Buckle up as we take a closer look at living in Texas vs. Florida to assist you in determining which state would be the ideal match for you in the South.

Table of contents:

1. Life in Texas vs. Florida

• What screams Florida?
• Life in Texas
• What sets them apart?

2. Economy in Texas vs. Florida

• Job Market
• Texas: Diversification is Key
• Florida: Sunshine Fuels the Economy
• Need a job fast?

3. Cost of Living in Texas vs. Florida

• Housing Costs
• Renting Costs
• Utilities
• Grocery and Food Costs
• Healthcare

4. Texas Commutes vs. Florida Commutes

• Traffic Patterns
• Public Transportation

5. Lifestyle and recreation in Texas vs. Florida

• Things to do
• Spectator sports

6. Landscape in Texas vs. Florida

7. Climate in Texas vs. Florida

• Weather Patterns
• Natural Disasters

8. Crime Rate in Texas vs. Florida

1. Life in Texas vs. Life in Florida

Before we dive into daily life down South, here's a quick stats comparison:

What shouts "Florida"? For starters,  golden beaches stretch out before you. Home to vibrant cities such as Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville, Florida is celebrated for its stunning Gulf and Atlantic coastlines. The state's perpetual summer atmosphere attracts residents from across the United States.

With a land area more than twice as large, Texas surpasses Florida in size. The major cities—Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth—each exude distinct characteristics. These cities are characterized by spacious homes, unique qualities, and unparalleled Southern hospitality, contributing to a luxurious lifestyle for the residents.

While both states boast warmth and sunshine, Floridians particularly cherish the experience of living by the sea. Meanwhile, Texans prefer large, open spaces. Understanding each lifestyle can help you select your perfect Southern way of living considering they are all different.

2. Economy in Texas vs. Economy in Florida

Texas's broad economy includes the petroleum, technology, and agricultural industries. Renowned for its lower cost of living and reasonable tax burden, Texas flaunts a larger size and population compared to Florida. The state's economy has attained remarkable diversity.

The major contributing industries include:

• Oil and gas
• Agriculture
• Steel manufacturing
• Banking
• Tourism
• Healthcare
• Telecommunications

In contrast, Florida's economy is primarily driven by agriculture, tourism, and a burgeoning service industry. Notably, Florida has the longest coastline among its neighboring states, a higher minimum wage, and lower poverty and unemployment rates. The main drivers of Florida's economy include information technology, oil and gas, aerospace, defense, biomedical research, fuel processing, electric generation, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Job Market

As the summary table below illustrates, the economies of Texas and Florida are quite distinct. With their robust economies, businesses and families find both Texas and Florida attractive.

Note: The table provides a general comparison using the latest available data.

Florida has a far lower unemployment rate—2.60%—than Texas, which is 4.10%. This means your chances of finding employment in the Sunshine State are higher.

Diversification in Texas

Texas boasts a diverse job market with significant players in technology (Dallas is growing), energy (Houston is the "Energy Capital of the World"), and healthcare. The strength of various sectors provides a safety net against economic downturns in one industry. While Texas citizens may earn more money overall, they also contend with higher sales and state income taxes, potentially impacting their disposable income.

Sunshine Powers Florida

Florida's world-famous beaches and theme parks fuel the state's strong labor market, which in turn drives a thriving tourist and hospitality sector. Significant contributions are also provided by international trade and healthcare. Although Florida has a lower sales tax than Texas, it does not have a personal income tax.

In contrast to Texas, the availability of service-oriented jobs may offer lower average pay. Need a job fast? To experience a lower unemployment rate, move to Florida. Texas, on the other hand, has a larger tax burden but offers more varied, and potentially lucrative jobs.

3. Cost of Living in Texas vs. Cost of Living in Florida

Calculating the cost of living in either Florida or Texas is an important consideration before making the move. The summary table below illustrates further:

Note: The table provides a general comparison using the latest available data.

Housing Costs

Related: How Much Will It Cost You To Build A House In Texas

Texas housing is more affordable than the national average, with a variety of real estate options to suit different budgets and tastes. Location is also important. For example, compared to San Antonio's laid-back charm, housing costs are higher in Austin thanks to its trendy atmosphere and growing tech sector. If, on the other hand, your heart is set on a beachfront condo or a quaint house only moments from the amusement parks, Florida may feel a little more expensive. When it comes to affordability, Texas wins.

Costs of renting

One-bedroom rentals in Texas average $1,045 a month. But in Florida, renters should budget $1,175, 10% more than the national average. Both amounts are in line with the $1,098 monthly rental housing average.

Utility services

Texas has relatively inexpensive utility bills, yet there are geographical differences regarding keeping the lights on and water running. Florida's hot, muggy weather can raise the cost of power, which increases the state's overall cost of living. Thus even though you will enjoy the sunshine, your electrical bill will feel the heat.

Grocery and Food Costs

According to recent data, Texas has a cheaper cost of living than Florida. For instance, groceries in Texas are cheaper than in Florida by 13.1%. Moreover, an affordable restaurant in Texas charges $15.50 for a basic dinner and drink. In Florida, the same meal costs $19.03, an 18.6% difference in price.

Medical Care

Although the cost of living in some large Texas towns is below average, access to quality healthcare is more challenging in rural and frontier areas, contributing to a higher uninsured rate of about 17% in the state. On the other hand, Florida scores higher for growing Medicaid and affordability. Since over 21% of the population is 65 years or older, the healthcare system is designed with their requirements in mind. However, some South Florida doctors face lengthy waitlists due to the state's sizable senior population. Overall, the living costs in Texas are lower than those in Florida.

4. Texas Commutes vs. Florida Commutes

You may be thinking about moving to Texas or Florida, but traffic challenges are dashing your beach dreams. Let's discuss the daily slog which is the commute.

Traffic patterns

Texas' major cities, including Dallas, Houston, and Austin, grapple with heavy rush-hour traffic to and from work. As a result, Houston commuters spend on average 46 hours a year in traffic, ranking the city as the 16th most congested in the country. Another upside of leaving the urban jungle behind is the wide roads, which see their fair share of cars and trucks. At the same time, Florida’s megapolises, such as Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, are major traffic hot spots.

Public Transit

On the other hand, substantial investments in public transit systems have helped live without a car in Dallas or Houston by relying on light rail, buses, and commuter trains more and more recently. On top of that, cities like Miami in Florida built powerful, working, and communicating public transportation that includes Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus, serving the entire city. As for Texas, the main mode of transport is a car, since the public transit opportunity is limited. Thus, you should have a car if you want to live there. So, in general, public transportation in Florida is more developed.

5. Recreation and Lifestyle in Florida vs. Texas

Texas and Florida offer two different approaches to living life to the fullest, with their vast open landscapes and immaculate beaches:

Things to Do

Florida and the outdoors is about beaches and theme parks. Rides in the latter parks are amazing, some of them, for example, in Disney and Universal are magical. Surfing and snorkeling are regular watersports in Florida. The city of Miami offers you a variety of international cuisine, art, nightlife, unique sea views, and parks near the Atlantic coast. Texas is all about music and it guns in Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

Austin is well-known as the Live Music Capital of the World attracting thousands of music tourists every year. Furthermore, other lifestyle perks of living in the state include “Friday Night Lights” high school football culture, boating and fishing, hiking, and the lovely hill country vistas.

Spectator Sports

Do you enjoy sports but can't decide where to go for your next big game experience—Texas or Florida? The Lone Star State is home to NFL, MLB, and NBA teams, with fans filling expansive stadiums. Additionally, Texas boasts prominent college football teams like the Texas A&M Aggies and Texas Longhorns.

But Florida is also heating up! The state hosts teams across the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA, alongside fierce college football competition, establishing itself as a center for sporting excitement. Not to mention the adrenaline rush of NASCAR and the Daytona 500. Although Florida's beaches and amusement parks offer an undeniably stunning setting, Texas takes the lead in exhibiting its cultural vibrancy and outdoor appeal at potentially lower costs.

6. Landscape in Texas vs. Landscape in Florida

While Texas features ample flat land, it also encompasses diverse topography, from deserts to hilly forests. The picturesque limestone hills, wildflower meadows, and sweeping valley vistas of the Hill Country offer a serene contrast to the plains. The Gulf Coastal Plain, which features prairies and coastal marshes, occupies a large portion of the flat east. The Guadalupe Mountains rise from the plains in West Texas, offering more expansive stretches of flat desert.

In contrast, Florida is renowned for its extensive 2,100 miles of coastline that traverse the state, adorned with barrier islands and mangrove forests. The topographically varied Everglades and a unique wetland ecology surrounded by flatlands make South Florida stand out. Thanks to its azure waters and luxurious island lifestyle, the Florida Keys elevate coastal beauty beyond anything else in the region.

Even though Texas has some stunning hilly landscapes to break up the flatness, nothing quite compares to Florida’s varied terrain and easily accessible subtropical scenery. This makes Florida the state with the best overall landscape.

7. Climate in Texas vs. Climate in Florida

Despite having warm, subtropical climates, Texas and Florida differ significantly from one another in terms of normal weather patterns and environmental aspects residents might expect in each state:

Weather Patterns

Being aware of what Mother Nature has in store for you can assist you in deciding between the Sunshine State and the Lone Star State. Texas's vast territory experiences a greater variety of climates. This includes milder temperatures near the Gulf to Dallas's sweltering summers that will melt your sneakers off your feet. On the other hand, Florida's tropical latitude ensures constant warmth. Although there will be plentiful sunshine in both states, Florida's "Humidity Index" makes for extremely muggy conditions.

Natural Disasters

To put it mildly, both states experience their fair share of harsh weather. Beyond the intense summer storms, Florida's unique geological features, including sinkholes, are important considerations for residents. Ask the folks in Tampa who awoke to find their living room six feet below the surface. And when you thought tornadoes were confined to Tornado Alley, these unexpected storms can also sweep into Florida. Texas also experiences various natural disasters, including wildfires and storms. Be ready to batten down the hatches when the weather turns erratic in either state.

8. Crime and Safety in Texas vs. Florida

Personal security is an important consideration when choosing where to put down roots. So how does Florida and Texas compare in terms of safety? Though it might evoke images of rowdy spring break parties, the Sunshine State has lower overall crime rates than Texas.

Recent crime statistics reveal that Florida reported lower rates of property and violent crimes compared to Texas, with the rate of violent crime at 3.92 per 1,000 people in Florida and 4.6 per 1,000 in Texas. Additionally, both Florida and Texas had respective property crime rates of 17.46 and 21.9 per 1,000 people.

A few possible explanations for the different crime rates include:

• In matters of police enforcement, Florida spends more per person than Texas.
• Miami and other tourist hotspots have increased police presence along the coast, which may deter criminal activity.
• Texas, on the other hand, offers more expansive rural areas where criminal plans could materialize covertly.
• Texans enjoy more space, whereas Florida has a larger population density, which impacts the opportunity for crime.

But here's the worst part—both Texas and Florida have higher crime rates than the US as a whole. However, Florida has a little advantage over Texas since it has lower total reported crime statistics.

Living in Texas vs. Living in Florida—The Verdict

You've now narrowed your ideal destination to the following two Southern states: Texas and Florida. But which state is the best? To assist you in selecting your ideal match, consider this brief recap:

• Seeking sunshine? Florida thrives thanks to its countless beaches and exciting theme parks.
• Tight on funds? Texas tops the list of states with the most affordable housing, groceries, and living costs.
• Looking for employment? The unemployment rate in Florida is lower than in Texas. But Texas offers more jobs which might pay more.
• Country vs. city? Florida's efficient public transportation system offers easy commutes, especially in cities like Miami, while Texas is renowned for its vibrant and diverse music scenes. For those who enjoy the country, Texas offers vast open landscapes.
• Sports enthusiast? Given the variety of professional and college teams, both states are havens for sports fans.
• A lover of nature? Florida's stunning beaches, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys offer unmatched subtropical beauty, while Texas boasts diversified landscapes and picturesque Hill Country.
• Is safety a priority? The crime rates in both states are higher than the national average. But Florida surpasses Texas with marginally lower total reported crime rates.
• Mild weather? Florida offers continuous sunshine, whereas Texas provides a broader variety (although with the risk of intense heat waves, wildfires, and tornadoes).

Still undecided whether Texas or Florida is suitable for you? Not a problem. To assist you in finding the ideal home in either state our real estate experts would be happy to discuss your priorities, goals, and budget. Contact us today and we’ll be pleased to assist you!