Pennsylvania to Florida
By Dewey Kopenga and Travis Penny. updated July 2026
TL;DR
Pennsylvania exempts Social Security, pensions, and IRA withdrawals after 59.5 in full at the state level, so the income tax delta is near zero. The case is the inheritance tax: 4.5 percent on children, 12 percent on siblings, 15 percent on everyone else, from dollar one with no exemption. Florida has no income tax and no inheritance tax. The winter delta is real on top.
PA income tax on retirement
0% after 59.5
PA inheritance tax
4.5% children / 12% siblings / 15% others, dollar one
PA estate tax
None
Drive from Philadelphia
~1,050 mi, ~15.5 hrs
You move to Florida from Pennsylvania by establishing legal domicile and filing homestead, and you do it for the inheritance tax and the winter, not the income tax. Pennsylvania exempts retirement income including Social Security, pensions, and IRA withdrawals after 59.5. The inheritance tax hits from dollar one: 4.5 percent on children, 12 percent on siblings, 15 percent on everyone else.
The biggest single dollar difference is the inheritance tax, which most Pennsylvania retirees never see because they never see the bill. A 1,000,000 dollar estate passing to two children costs the family 45,000 dollars in Pennsylvania inheritance tax. Passing to siblings or non family heirs the same estate costs 120,000 to 150,000 dollars. Florida charges zero.
| Category | Pennsylvania | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax rate on retirement | 0% after 59.5 | 0% |
| Social Security | Not taxed | Not taxed |
| Pension and IRA | Not taxed after 59.5 | Not taxed |
| Estate tax | None | None |
| Inheritance tax | 4.5% children, 12% siblings, 15% others, dollar one | None |
Tax information is general and for educational purposes only. It is not tax advice. Rates, exemptions, and thresholds change and vary by county and by individual circumstance. Verify current figures with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and consult a licensed CPA or tax attorney before making relocation decisions. Tax data verified July 2026.
Pennsylvania does not audit residency changes at meaningful rates because most retirement income is already exempt. Complete the checklist for federal and estate planning clarity, and to close out inheritance tax exposure on future death.
The drive from Philadelphia is about 1,050 miles and 15.5 hours down I-95, split over two comfortable days. Nonstops PHL to Tampa International run daily. Household moves for a full three bedroom band 5,500 to 10,500 dollars, and auto transport Pennsylvania to Tampa runs roughly 900 to 1,300 dollars per car.
Get fully underwritten before you list at home. That means income, assets, and credit verified so your Florida offer can go in without a financing contingency. Travis works multiple retiree friendly programs. Asset depletion qualifies buyers on brokerage and retirement balances instead of monthly income. Social Security and pension income qualification gets you the gross up boost most lenders miss. Kings Point condos need non warrantable condo programs, and Travis has relationships that lend where big banks decline. See the full financing overview. Travis Penny is a licensed mortgage broker, NMLS 1649161, and this is not an offer to lend. Loans are subject to underwriting approval.
Pennsylvania retirees pick Sun City Center to close inheritance tax exposure and lift the winter. Sun City Center is cart legal, walkable, has HCA Florida South Bay inside the community, and puts Tampa International 45 minutes north. Pennsylvania does not tax your retirement. It taxes your kids. Florida taxes neither.
Ready to plan the move? Call Rex, your 24/7 concierge, (813) 576.3131. Rex hands warm calls to Dewey for real estate and Travis for financing during business hours, and takes messages the rest of the time.
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Frequently Asked
Establish Florida domicile, file homestead by March 1, and unwind Pennsylvania ties. Most Pennsylvania retirees drive the 1,050 miles from Philadelphia in two days down I-95, close in Sun City Center, and complete the domicile checklist within 90 days. Inheritance tax exposure closes only on death after domicile change, so the calendar matters.
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