This is one of the most common questions I hear from people considering a move from New Jersey to Northeast Florida. And honestly, most answers online are vague, cherry-picked, or written by someone who hasn’t lived in both places.

So let’s do this differently.

No spin. No fluff. Just a real, side-by-side cost comparison between New Jersey and St. Johns County, Florida—using two real scenarios: a family of four and a retired couple. We’ll cover housing, taxes, insurance, utilities, groceries, dining, and the Florida-specific costs many buyers don’t expect.

By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what life actually costs—and you can decide what makes sense for you.

First, the Honest Caveat

St. Johns County isn’t the cheapest place in Florida. It’s one of the most desirable—and it’s priced that way.

But this isn’t about cheap vs. expensive. It’s about value. And compared to New Jersey, the value gap is significant.

Household Example 1: The Family of Four

Meet the Kellys: early 40s, two kids, $175K household income, currently living in North Jersey and considering a move to St. Johns County.

Housing

  • New Jersey: ~$5,300–$5,900/month
  • St. Johns County: ~$4,000–$4,400/month
    Savings: $900–$1,500/month

Property Taxes

  • NJ: ~$16,700/year
  • FL: ~$5,000/year
    Savings: ~$11,700/year

Utilities

Roughly a wash. Florida’s higher summer cooling is offset by no winter heating.

Car Insurance

  • Florida costs more: +$800–$1,200/year

Home Insurance

  • Florida costs more: +$1,000–$2,000/year

Groceries

  • NJ: $1,100–$1,500/month
  • FL: $850–$1,150/month
    Savings: $2,400–$4,200/year

Dining Out

Savings: $3,000–$5,000/year

State Income Tax

  • NJ: ~$10K/year
  • FL: $0
    Savings: ~$10K/year

Total Net Savings (Family)

~$25,000–$30,000 per year

Household Example 2: The Retired Couple

Meet Bob and Linda: early 60s, ~$95K retirement income, downsizing from New Jersey to a 55+ community in St. Johns County.

Housing

  • NJ property taxes alone: $1,100–$1,300/month
  • FL total housing (often mortgage-free): $600–$900/month
    Savings: $700–$1,000/month + freed-up equity

State Taxes on Retirement Income

  • NJ: $3,200–$5,500/year
  • FL: $0
    Savings: up to $5,500/year

Healthcare (Medigap Plan G)

  • NJ: $420–$580/month
  • FL: $240–$350/month
    Savings: $2,000–$2,700/year

Utilities

Savings: $1,000–$2,000/year

Dining & Lifestyle

Savings: $2,000–$5,000/year

Insurance Differences

  • Car insurance: +$600–$800/year in FL
  • Home insurance: +$600–$1,500/year in FL

Total Net Savings (Retirees)

~$20,000–$25,000 per year
~$400K+ over a 20-year retirement

Where Florida Wins

  • No state income tax
  • Much lower property taxes
  • Lower groceries and dining
  • Lower healthcare costs (especially for retirees)

Where New Jersey Wins

  • Lower car insurance
  • Lower home insurance

The Bottom Line

Is St. Johns County cheaper than New Jersey?

  • Families: Yes—by about $25K–$30K/year
  • Retirees: Yes—by about $20K–$25K/year

Yes, Florida has higher insurance costs. But even after factoring those in, the overall savings still lean heavily in Florida’s favor.

And beyond the numbers? There’s the lifestyle—warmer winters, newer homes, and communities designed for how people actually want to live.

Want a Personalized Breakdown?

Every household is different. Your income, your home value, your insurance profile, and your lifestyle all affect what the move actually saves you. I work with relocating families and retirees from New Jersey and New York every week — and I can help you build a real cost comparison based on your actual numbers, not averages.

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity.

Call or text Gail DeMarco: 904-640-8000 St. Johns County Relocation Specialist Serving Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, St. Johns, St. Augustine, and all of St. Johns County, FL

All figures are estimates based on 2025–2026 data from publicly available sources including the Tax Foundation, ValuePenguin, MIT Living Wage Calculator, Medicare.gov, and local market data. Individual costs vary based on household size, location within each state, insurance profile, lifestyle, and other factors. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.