Moving to Orlando from New York — The Complete 2026 Guide
By Chris Creegan | Broker/Owner, Creegan Group | 2025 Broker of the Year | Top 40 Nationwide by RealTrends
If you’re considering a move from New York to Orlando, you’re in very good company. Central Florida has become one of the top relocation destinations for New Yorkers seeking more space, more sunshine, and dramatically lower costs — without sacrificing access to culture, dining, and career opportunity. This guide covers everything you need to know before you make the move.
The Financial Case for Leaving New York
The numbers are striking. The cost of living in New York is approximately 63% higher than Orlando. To maintain the same standard of living that costs $21,000 per year in New York City, you’d need only about $12,000 in Orlando. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
| Expense | New York City | Orlando, FL | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent (1BR) | ~$3,500+ | ~$1,600 | ~55% less |
| Median home price | ~$750,000+ | ~$395,000 | ~47% less |
| Monthly basics (1 person) | ~$5,683 | ~$2,877 | ~49% less |
| State income tax | Up to 10.9% | 0% | Keep it all |
| Monthly basics (family of 4) | ~$15,081 | ~$7,012 | ~54% less |
Florida has no state income tax — one of the most significant financial benefits for anyone relocating from New York, where state and city income taxes combined can reach nearly 15%. For a household earning $150,000, that’s potentially $15,000–$20,000 per year back in your pocket from day one.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Weather: Orlando’s climate is the most dramatic lifestyle adjustment for most New Yorkers. Summers are hot and humid (highs in the low 90s with afternoon thunderstorms from June through September), but winters are mild and genuinely beautiful — temperatures from November through March typically run 55–75°F, which is when New Yorkers who’ve made the move feel most vindicated about their decision. Spring and fall are exceptional.
Driving: Unlike New York City, Orlando is a car-dependent city. You will need a vehicle — there’s no meaningful substitute. The good news: parking is abundant and free almost everywhere, rush hour traffic (while real) pales in comparison to the BQE or FDR at 6pm on a Friday, and the road network is generally well-maintained.
Space: The most immediate and consistent reaction from New York transplants is the shock of how much space they get for their money. A $600,000 budget that would buy a small condo in Brooklyn buys a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home with a two-car garage and a pool in Winter Park, Maitland, or Oviedo.
Community: Orlando’s New York transplant community is large and growing. You won’t struggle to find fellow New Yorkers — you may in fact wonder if you’ve left at all.
Best Orlando Neighborhoods for New York Transplants
Choosing the right neighborhood is the most important decision you’ll make. Here’s how the major communities map to different New York buyer profiles:
If you loved Manhattan / Brooklyn Heights → Consider Baldwin Park or College Park These are the closest thing Orlando has to walkable, urban neighborhood living. Baldwin Park’s Village Center and College Park’s Edgewater Drive offer the kind of streetscape, dining, and community energy that New Yorkers crave. Home prices range from the mid-$400s to $2M+.
If you loved Park Slope / Westchester → Consider Winter Park Winter Park is Orlando’s most established and character-rich community — tree-lined streets, boutique retail on Park Avenue, top-ranked schools, and a genuine sense of place. It’s where New Yorkers who want to replicate the feel of Westchester or a well-heeled Brooklyn neighborhood tend to land. Median prices around $619,000.
If you have school-age kids → Consider Oviedo, Lake Mary, or Winter Garden Seminole County’s school districts rank #3 in Florida and #1 in the Orlando metro. Oviedo and Lake Mary specifically offer the suburban family environment — large lots, excellent schools, safe streets — that New York families often sacrifice for city access. More home for significantly less money.
If you want new construction → Consider Lake Nona or Horizon West Both are master-planned communities with new homes, resort-style amenities, and growing retail/restaurant scenes. Lake Nona’s Medical City is attracting healthcare and tech professionals. Horizon West (Winter Garden) is a favorite for young families relocating from the Northeast.
If you want value + character → Consider Maitland or Casselberry Established neighborhoods, mature trees, and genuinely livable communities at price points well below Winter Park or Baldwin Park. Maitland in particular is experiencing strong appreciation and is where Creegan Group is headquartered.
The Buying Process in Florida vs. New York
The home-buying process in Florida has some key differences from New York that every transplant should understand:
No attorney requirement at closing. Florida does not require an attorney to close a real estate transaction — a title company handles the closing. This is different from New York, where attorney involvement is standard.
Faster closings. A typical Florida residential closing takes 30–45 days once under contract, compared to 60–90 days in New York where co-op board approvals and attorney review periods add time.
Homestead Exemption. Florida offers a Homestead Exemption that reduces the assessed value of your primary residence by up to $50,000 for property tax purposes — and caps the annual increase in assessed value at 3%. File within the first year of ownership. This is a significant long-term savings mechanism.
No transfer tax drama. New York’s mansion tax and transfer taxes can add 1–4%+ to closing costs on higher-priced properties. Florida’s transfer tax (documentary stamp tax) is 0.7% of the purchase price — significantly lower.
HOA communities are common. Many Florida communities have HOAs that govern maintenance, landscaping, and community standards. Fees vary widely. Your Creegan Group agent will walk you through what each community’s HOA covers and costs before you make an offer.
Moving Costs: What to Budget
A full-service move from New York City to Orlando (approximately 1,100 miles) typically costs:
- 1-bedroom: ~$2,600–$3,500
- 2-bedroom: ~$3,500–$5,000
- 3-bedroom+: ~$5,000–$8,000+
Timing tip: Moving during October–March (off-peak season) can save 20–30% versus summer moves. Mid-week, mid-month moves are also typically less expensive than weekend moves at the end of the month.
Why Work with Creegan Group for Your Relocation
Relocating from out of state is more complex than a local move — and the agent you choose matters enormously. At Creegan Group, we work with dozens of New York transplants every year. We know which neighborhoods match which lifestyles, which communities have the best school zones, and how to help you navigate the process remotely before your arrival.
Chris Creegan was named 2025 Broker of the Year and is ranked Top 40 Nationwide by RealTrends, with over $2 billion in career sales across Central Florida. Our 50+ full-time agents cover all five counties — meaning wherever you decide to land, we have the local expertise to guide you.
📞 407.622.1111 🌐 www.CreeganGroup.com
Cost of living data sourced from Salary.com, NerdWallet, and Numbeo. Moving cost estimates from MoveBuddha (2026). Market data from Zillow and ORRA. Information is for general guidance and subject to change.