Moving from New York to Orlando: The Complete 2026 Guide
My name is Mark Raumaker. I grew up in New York City, did Broadway tours of Grease, 9 to 5, and The Wedding Singer, then spent six years at Walt Disney World performing in the Finding Nemo Musical. When I decided to stay in Central Florida and get my real estate license in 2016, people back home looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Orlando? Seriously?
Ten years later, my wife Sarah and I lead SERHANT. Orlando, which closed 383 transactions and $184.1 million in sales volume in 2025 with a team of 40+ agents. I personally produced $17M last year. Every week, I sit across from New Yorkers who are asking the same questions I asked when I made this move. This guide answers all of them, with real numbers.
If you're searching for honest, data-driven information about moving from New York to Orlando in 2026, you're in the right place. No vague promises. Just specifics.
Why Are New Yorkers Moving to Orlando in 2026?
Over 91,000 New Yorkers moved to Florida in 2022 alone, and the pace has not slowed. Florida gained $20.6 billion in adjusted gross income from new residents between 2022 and 2023, according to IRS migration data. That is not a trend. That is a sustained reallocation of wealth and population.
The motivations break into three categories: financial, practical, and lifestyle. On the financial side, Florida's zero income tax policy is doing most of the heavy lifting. On the practical side, a $377,000 median home price versus $770,000 in New York City changes what families can afford, and what they can build. On the lifestyle side, the sunny winter months, the proximity to beaches, the lower-stress commutes, and an entertainment scene that goes far beyond theme parks are converting skeptics quickly.
Orlando specifically draws the most New Yorkers for a specific reason: value. The UCF Institute for Economic Competitiveness forecasts that Orlando will add more jobs than Miami (which has twice the population) and more than Tampa and Jacksonville combined over the next decade.
What Does It Cost to Live in Orlando Compared to New York?
The overall cost of living in Orlando is 58.7% lower than Manhattan, meaning a Manhattan resident earning $100,000 would need only about $41,000 in Orlando to maintain the same standard of living.
Monthly Living Costs: Side by Side
- Monthly basics for one person: $5,683 in NYC vs. $2,877 in Orlando (49% less)
- Monthly basics for a family of four: $15,081 in NYC vs. $7,012 in Orlando (54% less)
Housing Costs
The median home sale price in Orlando as of February 2026 is $376,900, down 8.3% year-over-year. The average Manhattan home costs $2,838,182. Across all five boroughs, the NYC median sits around $715,000 to $770,000.
For renters, the contrast is even starker. The average Manhattan apartment rents for $5,632 per month, while the average Orlando rental runs $1,949 per month. That is a difference of roughly $3,683 every single month, or $44,196 per year, just in rent.
- Apartment: NYC $4,025/month vs. Orlando $1,587/month (61% less)
- House rental: NYC $5,599/month vs. Orlando $1,149/month (79% less)
- Condo: NYC $4,812/month vs. Orlando $1,605/month (67% less)
Everyday Expenses
Groceries overall are 13% cheaper in Orlando than Manhattan. A few specific comparisons:
- Coffee: $7.71 in Manhattan vs. $5.60 in Orlando (27% less)
- Pizza (dining out): $15.11 vs. $11.28 (25% less)
- Haircut: $32.34 vs. $20.00 (38% less)
- Movie ticket: $21.07 vs. $15.04 (29% less)
- Yoga class: $31.14 vs. $16.46 (47% less)
Healthcare costs deserve special attention. A standard doctor visit runs $217.72 in Manhattan vs. $123.54 in Orlando, a 43% difference. Overall healthcare in Orlando is 56.4% cheaper than Manhattan.
For a deeper breakdown, see our complete Orlando cost of living guide.
How Much Will You Save on Taxes Moving from New York to Florida?
Florida has zero state income tax. New York State taxes income up to 10.9%, and New York City adds another 3.078% to 3.876% on top of that. For high earners, the combined bite is enormous, and it stops the moment you establish Florida residency.
Here are the annual savings for a single filer, calculated using 2025 NY State and NYC marginal brackets:
- $500,000 income: $51,106 saved per year ($511,060 over 10 years)
- $750,000 income: $77,921 saved per year ($779,210 over 10 years)
- $1,000,000 income: $104,736 saved per year ($1,047,360 over 10 years)
For those with significant capital events on the horizon, the numbers are even more dramatic. A $10 million capital gain generates roughly $890,000 in New York state tax and $0 in Florida.
The Florida Homestead Exemption
Once you own and occupy your Florida home as your primary residence, you qualify for the Homestead Exemption, which reduces your property's assessed value by up to $51,411 as of 2026. Beyond the exemption itself, Florida's Save Our Homes cap limits annual assessment increases to 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower.
Florida also has no estate tax. New York's estate tax exemption is $6.94 million, and estates exceeding 105% of that threshold pay tax on the entire value, not just the excess above the exemption. That "cliff" provision catches a lot of New York estates. Florida's answer: nothing owed.
Which Orlando Neighborhoods Feel Most Like NYC?
The neighborhoods in Orlando that resonate most with New Yorkers are Winter Park for walkability and culture, Baldwin Park for the urban village feel, Downtown Orlando for nightlife and density, and Dr. Phillips for upscale dining.
Winter Park: The Park Avenue Neighborhood
Winter Park has Park Avenue, and Park Avenue genuinely competes with some of New York's better shopping and dining streets. Boutiques, James Beard-recognized restaurants, independent coffee shops, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, and Rollins College all sit within walking distance. The median sold price in Winter Park as of March 2026 was $1,027,500, though the average of $458,756 reflects the mix of condos and townhomes. Explore Winter Park listings.
Baldwin Park: The Walkable Urban Village
Baldwin Park is the Orlando neighborhood that consistently draws comparisons to Brooklyn brownstone blocks, just with a Florida backdrop. A main street of local shops and restaurants, lakefront paths, and a tight-knit community vibe. Median listing prices run $748,500 to $752,000. See Baldwin Park homes.
Dr. Phillips: The Restaurant Row Address
Dr. Phillips is where you go when you are serious about food. Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road has 50-plus restaurants. The neighborhood surrounds Bay Hill, Arnold Palmer's home course and a PGA Tour stop. Median home prices run $548,000 to $700,000. Browse Dr. Phillips listings.
Best Orlando Neighborhoods for Families Relocating from New York
Families moving from New York consistently prioritize three things: school quality, space, and community. Winter Garden, Lake Nona, Celebration, and Windermere deliver on all three.
Winter Garden
Winter Garden has a historic downtown, the West Orange Trail for cycling, and access to new construction through the adjacent Horizon West market with 330-plus new construction homes and a median of $625,000. View Winter Garden homes.
Lake Nona
Lake Nona is a master-planned community built around Medical City, home to the VA Medical Center, UCF Health, Nemours Children's Hospital, and the USTA National Campus. New construction median is approximately $607,450. Explore Lake Nona listings.
Celebration
Celebration was founded by Disney in 1994 on New Urbanist principles. With a median price of $499,500 to $530,000, it is one of the most affordable "premium" communities in the metro. See Celebration listings.
Windermere
Windermere is where the top end of the Orlando market lives. Median home prices range from $780,000 to over $1.3 million, with ultra-premium gated enclaves like Keene's Pointe and Isleworth. View Windermere homes.
What Are the Best Schools in the Orlando Area?
Seminole County Public Schools is the top-ranked school district in the Orlando metro, rated A by Niche for 2026, and ranked in the top three in all of Florida.
Orange County Public Schools is the second-ranked district with 260 schools and 206,815 students. Top high schools in the Orlando metro:
- NeoCity Academy (Osceola County): #1 in the metro, STEM-focused magnet school
- Windermere High School (Orange County): Grade A+, 3,156 students
- Lake Nona HS and Dr. Phillips HS both rank highly within OCPS
Private School Options
- Lake Highland Preparatory School (Orlando, PK-12): One of the most prestigious in Central Florida
- Trinity Preparatory School (Winter Park, grades 6-12): Highly regarded for academics and athletics
- The First Academy (Orlando, PK-12): 100% college acceptance rate
- Park Maitland School (Winter Park/Maitland, PK-5): Rated 4.96/5 by Niche
For a complete school-by-neighborhood breakdown, see our guide to the best school districts in Orlando.
What Is the Orlando Job Market Like in 2026?
Orlando's employment is growing at 1.3% in 2026, above Florida's statewide growth rate of 0.8% and more than double the national rate of 0.5%. The region added 27,600 new healthcare jobs in early 2026 alone.
- Walt Disney World Resort: Approximately 80,000 employees, the largest single-site employer in the US
- Universal Orlando Resort: 25,000+ employees, with Epic Universe opened in 2025
- AdventHealth: 37,672 employees across Orlando facilities
- Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Northrop Grumman: Central Florida is the DoD's largest simulation and training contracting zone in the world
- NASA Kennedy Space Center: 45 minutes east on the Space Coast
For remote workers, Orlando is increasingly attractive. The cost structure of working remotely on a New York salary from an Orlando home is, mathematically, one of the better financial decisions available right now.
What New Yorkers Get Wrong About Orlando
"There's nothing to do besides the theme parks."
This is the most persistent misconception. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a 2,700-seat world-class venue that hosts Broadway touring productions and the Orlando Philharmonic. Winter Park's Park Avenue has a legitimate dining scene. Mills/50 is one of the best international food corridors in the Southeast. When NYC friends visit, the theme parks are the tourist draw. When you live here, you stop going to them and find the rest of the city.
"The traffic is terrible."
According to the TomTom Traffic Index 2025, Orlando drivers lose 29 hours per year to traffic delays. New York City drivers lose 125 hours per year, 4.3 times more. The average travel time for 10 kilometers in Orlando is 11 minutes. In NYC it is 31 minutes.
"The summers are unbearable."
They are hot. Central Florida's hot season runs roughly May through late September with average daily highs above 87 degrees and significant humidity. What New Yorkers underestimate is how manageable this becomes when everything is air-conditioned, when the spring and fall are genuinely spectacular, and when January highs average 71 degrees while their former neighbors are shoveling out from nor'easters.
"Home prices are cheap so you can't go wrong."
The market is more nuanced than that. Homeowners insurance is a real cost that catches many out-of-state buyers off-guard: budget $3,500 to $5,000-plus per year for a typical single-family home. Factor that into your purchase math.
How Do You Buy a Home in Orlando from Out of State?
Buying remotely is very common in the Orlando market. A few things to understand:
The Florida Closing Process vs. New York
Florida is a much faster transaction than New York. A standard Florida purchase closes in 30 to 45 days. New York transactions routinely take 60 to 90 days. In Florida, the contract is written by agents, attorneys are optional, and closings are handled by a title company.
Steps for Out-of-State Buyers
- Get pre-approved first. Before you visit a single home, have a lender letter in hand.
- Work with an agent who specializes in relocation. The neighborhoods, school zones, HOA structures, and flood zone considerations in Orlando require local knowledge.
- Plan two focused visit trips. One trip to identify your top neighborhoods, and a second to seriously tour homes.
- Understand HOA fees and CDD assessments. These can range from $30 to $300-plus per month in addition to your mortgage.
- Budget for homeowners insurance realistically. Get quotes before you make an offer, not after.
- File for homestead exemption immediately. The deadline is March 1 of the year following your purchase. Missing it means waiting another full year for the $51,411 reduction.
Current Market Conditions (Spring 2026)
The Greater Orlando metro is currently a buyer's market in most price ranges with days on market running 60 to 97 days. Sellers are negotiating. Builder incentives, including interest rate buydowns and design upgrades, are available. Buyers from New York who have been conditioned to waive contingencies and pay over asking should recalibrate. You can negotiate here right now, and you should.
Ready to Make the Move? Let's Talk.
I made this move myself. I'm Mark Raumaker, Regional Operator of SERHANT. Orlando, and I know what you are weighing. My wife Sarah, our Managing Broker, and our team of 40-plus agents closed $184.1 million in 2025. We know how to get New Yorkers into the right home in this market.
Whether you are three months from a move or three years out, the conversation is worth having now. Orlando's market currently favors buyers, and understanding your options early gives you a real advantage.
Message us or call us at serhantorlando.com. Mark Raumaker and the SERHANT. Orlando team are ready to help you make this move the right way.
