Moving from Florida to New Hampshire

How do the two states’ taxes compare?

Florida has no personal income tax but has a 6% state sales tax plus county surtaxes in many counties. New Hampshire has no broad-based personal income tax and no general sales tax; the interest and dividends tax was repealed for taxable periods beginning after December 31, 2024.

The bigger difference is property tax. New Hampshire funds schools and town services mainly through it, rates are set town by town, and there is no Florida-style homestead exemption or Save Our Homes cap. Some relief exists—including locally administered exemptions for qualifying elderly residents and veterans—but eligibility is set by each town. See how New Hampshire property taxes work.

If you’re changing your domicile, close out the Florida side deliberately, including your homestead exemption. Talk with a tax professional about the sequence.

What does winter really cost?

Heating is the cost Florida movers most often underestimate. Many New Hampshire homes heat with oil or propane, especially where natural gas isn’t available; others use heat pumps or wood. Ask what the system is, its age and what a full season cost. See heating a New Hampshire home.

Snow and ice are ordinary: plowing, roof snow, ice dams and—on a long driveway—a plow contract or a machine. Insulation, windows and a reliable heating system matter more in a New Hampshire inspection than in Florida, and the roof matters for snow load rather than wind.

What do I need to do in my first weeks?

• Driver’s license: if you drive, New Hampshire requires a New Hampshire license within 60 days of becoming a resident (RSA 263:35).
• Vehicle registration: start at your town or city clerk, where you pay the local permit fee based on the vehicle’s list price and age, then complete the state portion—often at the same counter.
• Voter registration: register with your town or city clerk, or at your polling place on election day.
• Trash and water: many towns use a transfer station instead of curbside pickup, and some have no town water or sewer. Ask before you assume a service exists.
• See the full first 30 days checklist.

What is different about buying a home here?

Private wells and septic systems are common outside the larger cities and villages. Check them separately from the general home inspection: locate the septic system, review the approved design, have it evaluated by a qualified professional, and test well water following NH DES guidance.

New Hampshire’s Real Estate Transfer Tax is generally $0.75 per $100 of the price, charged to the buyer and to the seller separately, with a $20 minimum for each. Closings may be handled by attorney or non-attorney title agents; ask your lender or closing provider who will conduct yours.

Buying on a lake, river or the coast? If any part of a developed waterfront home’s septic system is within 250 feet of the water’s reference line, state law requires a licensed septic evaluation before the sale. See waterfront and seasonal homes and our full home buying guide.

Radon-in-air testing is common in New Hampshire, and arsenic and radon in well water are known concerns in parts of the state. Insurance questions shift too, from hurricanes and wind to heating systems, frozen pipes, ice dams and, in some locations, flood zones. See home insurance questions to ask.

What if I want a seasonal or second home?

Ask early about winterization, year-round road maintenance and whether the road is plowed at all—some lake and mountain roads are not. See waterfront and seasonal homes.

Short-term rental rules are set locally and vary by town. If rental income is part of your plan, check the town’s current rules before you make an offer.