Moving from Florida to New Hampshire

Two no-income-tax states, structured differently

Florida has no personal income tax but does levy a state sales tax with county surtaxes. New Hampshire has no personal income tax and no general sales tax; the interest and dividends tax was repealed for taxable periods beginning after December 31, 2024.

The structural difference is the property tax. New Hampshire funds schools and municipal services mainly through it, rates are set town by town, and there is no Florida-style homestead exemption or Save Our Homes assessment cap to lean on. Some relief programs exist — including the elderly and veterans exemptions administered locally — but they are not equivalent, and eligibility is determined by the town.

If you are changing domicile, the Florida side matters too: homestead exemption, portability and any Florida filings should be closed out deliberately. Confirm the sequence with a tax professional.

Winter is a real operating cost

Heating is the line item Florida movers most often underestimate. Much of New Hampshire heats with oil, propane or heat pumps rather than natural gas, and gas service is limited to certain corridors. Ask what the system is, its age, and what a full season actually cost.

Snow and ice management is ordinary: plowing, roof loads, ice dams, and — on a long private drive — a contract or a machine. Budget for it the way you would budget for hurricane season down south.

Insulation, window condition and a functioning heating system carry more weight in a New Hampshire inspection than they would in Florida. So does the roof, but for snow load rather than wind.

Deadlines in your first weeks

• Driver's licence: RSA 263:35 requires a new resident to obtain a New Hampshire licence within 60 days of establishing residency.
• Vehicle registration: New Hampshire registration is a two-part process — you register at your town or city clerk first, then complete the state portion. Budget for the municipal permit fee, which is based on the vehicle's list price and age.
• Voter registration: register with your town or city clerk, or at a supervisors of the checklist session.
• Utilities and trash: many New Hampshire towns do not provide curbside collection, and some have no municipal water or sewer. Confirm with the town before you assume a service exists.

What differs at the closing table

Private wells and septic systems are common outside the larger cities and villages. Treat them as a separate diligence item from the general home inspection: locate the septic system, review the approved design and any state approvals on file, and have it evaluated by an appropriately qualified professional. For a private well, follow current NH DES guidance and property-specific professional advice on what to test.

New Hampshire's Real Estate Transfer Tax is assessed on both the buyer and the seller. As of this guide's review date (2026-08-13), the NH Department of Revenue Administration states a rate of $0.75 per $100 of price for each side. Rates and mechanics change; verify the current figure with the DRA and your closing attorney before you budget or close.

Radon-in-air testing is common practice in New Hampshire, and arsenic and radon in well water are recognised concerns in parts of the state. Insurance also shifts: hurricane and windstorm coverage gives way to questions about heating systems, frozen pipes, ice dams and, in some locations, flood zone designation.

Seasonal use and second homes

If the New Hampshire property will be seasonal, ask early about winterisation, year-round road maintenance, and whether the road is town-maintained at all. Some Lakes Region and mountain roads are not plowed in winter.

Short-term rental rules are set locally in New Hampshire and vary by town. If rental income is part of your plan, verify the town's current ordinance before you write an offer — not after.