Maine and Florida
Taxes, weather, costs, lifestyle. The real trade offs, not the brochure version. Built for Mainers eyeing Florida and Floridians eyeing Maine.
The side by side
| Topic | Maine | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Yes. Up to about 7.15% | None |
| Property tax (effective) | About 1.09%. Middle of the pack | About 0.80%. Below the national average |
| Sales tax | 5.5% statewide | 6% plus local options (about 7%) |
| Homestead protection | Standard exemptions | Strong. Unlimited equity protection |
| Insurance climate | Stable. Rising flood concerns on the coast | Hardening market. Hurricane driven |
| Peak season weather | 70F summers, snowy winters | 75F winters, 90F humid summers |
| Best for | Lake life, coast, primary plus summer | Winter escape, retire, short term rental |
Data is general and updated from time to time. Always confirm specifics with your CPA and insurance agent. We are happy to intro you to ours.
Snowbird math
183 days, domicile rules, where to register vehicles, voting, and which state really wants you for tax purposes. We will walk you through it.
Hurricane and insurance
The Florida insurance market is hardening fast. We know which carriers are still writing, which counties to avoid, and which upgrades pay you back.
Short term rental rules
Vacation rental rules vary city by city. A great property in the wrong city is a bad investment. We screen deals against current rules first.
Property management
Lock and leave only works if someone you trust has the keys. We have a vetted bench of property managers in both states.
Financing in both states
Travis Penny is licensed as a Mortgage Broker in Maine and Florida, so one broker handles the loan no matter which side of the move you are on. One appraisal team, one title workflow, one point of contact.
Tax residency
Florida residency is one of the biggest financial wins for high earning Mainers. We will connect you to a CPA who knows dual state moves.
Ready to talk it through?
One short call. Real answers. No pressure.