How much property tax will I save?

Many Illinois retirees cut their annual property tax bill by $5,000 or more on a comparable home after the Florida homestead exemption.

Is the drive manageable?

Yes, two to three comfortable days south. Chicago to Nashville to Atlanta to Sun City Center is a common route.

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Illinois to Florida

Moving From Illinois to Sun City Center, Florida (Retiree Guide)

By Dewey Kopenga and Travis Penny. updated June 2026

TL;DR

Honesty first: Illinois does not tax retirement income, so the draw isn't income tax, it's property taxes (among the highest in the nation), Illinois's estate tax, and a hard break from Chicago winters. Sun City Center cuts the carrying cost of homeownership dramatically.

IL tax on retirement income

0% (already exempt)

IL effective property tax

~2.1% (near highest in U.S.)

IL estate tax

Yes (FL: none)

Drive from Chicago

~1,180 mi (2 to 3 days)

Be clear: it's not income tax

Illinois already exempts Social Security and retirement-account income, so don't expect income-tax savings, and we won't sell you on them. The genuine wins are property tax, estate tax, and weather.

Property and estate taxes

Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the country, often $9,000 to $12,000 on a suburban home, versus roughly $4,000 to $5,000 in Sun City Center after homestead and the 3% Save-Our-Homes cap. Illinois also has a state estate tax with a $4 million exemption; Florida has none, which matters for heirs.

How most Illinois buyers do it

◆Season 1: Winter rental in SCC to confirm the fit.
◆Season 2: Buy a single-level 55+ home and snowbird.
◆Establish Florida residency: 183+ days, license, voter registration, homestead.
◆List the Illinois home once residency is set.

Healthcare transfer

Medicare transfers automatically. Switch Medicare Advantage during open enrollment. HCA Florida South Bay Hospital is in Sun City Center, with Tampa General and Moffitt nearby.

Frequently Asked

Questions about illinois to florida.

No. Illinois already exempts retirement income. The real savings are property tax (often cut in half), no Florida estate tax, and the winter-weather upgrade.

Start your move

Planning your move from Illinois?

Tell us a bit about your timeline and we'll put together a Illinois-to-Sun City Center plan. Dewey and Travis both get a copy.

Ready when you are

Get the answer for your situation.

One 30-minute call covers property strategy and financing. Dewey and Travis on the line together.

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