TX → FL · Texas Tech to Theme Park Capital

Moving from Austin to Orlando?

Austin to Orlando — both 0% tax states (TX/FL), 30% cheaper housing, theme park economy + tech.

  • 1,090 mi Distance
  • 16 hr Drive time
  • 30% lower Home prices
  • 233 Sun days/year
The Story

Austin-to-Orlando is one of the rare 0%-tax-to-0%-tax moves. Both TX and FL have no state income tax. Housing 30% cheaper, COL 17% lower. The pull: Disney/Universal employment (100K+), Lockheed Martin Orlando (military simulation), year-round 70°F+ climate, and Cocoa Beach (1 hour east). Property tax flips downward — TX 2.0% effective to FL ~0.9% (saves $5K/year on $500K home).

Why This Move

Why people move from Austin to Orlando.

  • Same 0% income tax — TX/FL both have no state income tax
  • Housing 30% cheaper — $525K Austin SFH becomes $370K Orlando SFH
  • Property tax flips downward — TX 2.0% effective to FL ~0.9% (saves $5K/yr on $500K home)
  • Disney World + Universal Orlando employment (100K+ direct)
  • Lockheed Martin Orlando + military simulation careers
  • Year-round mild climate (Orlando Jan 50-72°F vs. Austin 41-62°F)
  • Cocoa Beach 1 hour east + Clearwater 2 hours west
  • Cost of living 17% lower
Cost Comparison

The money side of TX → FL.

Austin

  • Median home$525,000
  • Income tax0% (TX)
  • Cost index119

Orlando

  • Median home$370,000
  • Income tax0% (FL)
  • Cost index99
What to Do in Orlando

Things you'll want to know about your new city.

Bookmark this page — these are the icons of Orlando, organized by what kind of day you're planning.

Outdoors & Recreation

  • Lake Eola Park — Downtown lake, swan boats, farmers market Sundays
  • Harry P. Leu Gardens — 50-acre botanical garden in Orlando
  • Wekiwa Springs State Park — Crystal-clear spring; tubing, kayaking

Culture & Arts

  • Orlando Museum of Art — Notable American art collection

Family-Friendly

  • Walt Disney World — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom
  • Universal Orlando Resort — Universal Studios + Islands of Adventure + Volcano Bay
  • SeaWorld Orlando — Marine park with rides; Discovery Cove sister park
  • Kennedy Space Center (1 hr east) — Active rocket launch site; Atlantis exhibit
  • ICON Park — International Drive entertainment complex; Ferris wheel
  • Gatorland — 1949 'Alligator Capital of the World'; zip line over alligators
Where to Eat

Orlando's essential restaurants.

The dining list every Orlando resident knows by heart. Save the spots, work through them.

  • Capa Spanish Lake Buena Vista (Four Seasons)

    Michelin-starred Spanish from Andrew Zimmerman

  • Soseki Modern Omakase Japanese Winter Park

    Counter-style omakase

  • Kadence Sushi tasting Audubon Park

    9-seat omakase counter

  • Sette Italian Lake Nona

    Modern Italian; chef Eric Schmidt

  • Black Rooster Taqueria Mexican Mills 50 District

    Cult-favorite tacos

  • The Boheme American Downtown (Grand Bohemian)

    Hotel restaurant with chef-driven menu

  • Chau's Cafe Vietnamese Mills 50

    Best banh mi in town

  • Ravenous Pig Gastropub Winter Park

    Farm-to-table; brewery

Where to Live

Best Orlando neighborhoods for Austin transplants.

Mapped to the Austin neighborhoods that probably feel like home to you.

  • Winter Park

    If Tarrytown was your speed — walkable historic, top schools, charming, $500K-$2M

  • Lake Eola Heights / Thornton Park

    If South Congress walkable was your vibe — walkable downtown, lofts, restaurants

  • College Park

    If Bouldin Creek was your goal — walkable, family, charming

  • Mills 50 / Audubon Park

    If East Austin was your speed — hip walkable, art, restaurants, breweries

  • Lake Nona (suburb)

    If Mueller master-planned was your model — newest master-planned, top schools, walkable

  • Baldwin Park (master-planned)

    If Round Rock family was your goal — walkable master-planned, top schools, family

Climate & Walkability

What daily life feels like in Orlando.

Climate

Humid subtropical. Hot, humid summers (72-93°F, May-Oct) with daily afternoon thunderstorms. Mild winters (50-72°F). Hurricane season June-November (inland is safer than coast). 233 sun days/year.

  • Summer72-92°F
  • Winter50-72°F
  • Sun days/yr233
  • Rainfall51 inches

Walkability

  • Walk Score41/100
  • Transit Score33/100
  • Bike Score55/100

Orlando is car-dependent — most errands require driving.

Outdoors & Recreation

  • Wekiwa Springs State Park — crystal spring, tubing, swimming
  • Lake Eola — downtown park with swan boats
  • Kayaking on Winter Park's Chain of Lakes
  • St. Cloud Lake — boating, fishing
  • Atlantic beaches (1 hr east) — Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna
  • Gulf beaches (90 min west) — Clearwater, St. Pete
Reality Check

What changes about your daily life.

  • Same 0% income tax — no change
  • Housing 30% cheaper — same income buys more
  • Property tax savings substantial — $5K/yr on $500K home
  • Cost of living 17% lower
  • Climate flips humid subtropical to humid-tropical (Orlando)
  • Hurricane risk arrives (Orlando inland but exposed)
  • Property insurance jumps modestly
  • Cap Metro replaced with LYNX buses (smaller transit)
  • Live music scene shrinks (Austin is the apex; Orlando theme park music + smaller local)
  • BBQ scene shrinks dramatically (Austin top-3; Orlando minimal)
  • Sports culture shifts — Longhorns/Austin FC → Magic (NBA only)
Driving Routes

How to drive there.

  • I-10 East / I-75 South / Florida Turnpike

    1,090 miles via Houston, Tallahassee, Tampa. 16 hours / 1-2 days.

Move Logistics

What it takes to move 1,090 miles.

  • Full-service (3BR)$4,500-$8,000
  • Container/PODS$3,200-$5,500
  • DIY (26-ft truck)$2,200-$4,000
  • Best monthsOct-Apr (avoid hurricane season + Texas summer)
  • Lead time8-10 weeks ahead

USDOT-registered.

Common Questions

Moving from Austin to Orlando: FAQ.

Why move if same 0% tax?

Property tax savings + housing reduction. TX 2.0% effective property tax becomes FL ~0.9% — saves $5K/yr on $500K home. Plus 30% cheaper housing. Net financial gain substantial. Career pivot also possible (theme park economy, Lockheed Martin) — Austin tech doesn't translate, but Orlando offers different industries.

Will I miss Austin music scene?

Yes. Austin is genuinely 'Live Music Capital of the World.' Orlando has theme park music (Disney, Universal soundtracks/live performances), some local indie scene, but nothing approaches Austin's density. Most Austin-to-Orlando movers visit annually for SXSW or ACL festivals.

Moving TX → FL?

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