Florida to Utah is a move between opposites: sea level to 4,500 feet, hurricanes to earthquakes, no income tax to a flat one, and summer all year to four seasons. Here is the Florida-specific list; for the general newcomer checklist, see our Moving to Provo guide. We read the Tax Foundation's 2026 tables, the Utah Code, the Utah DMV, the Utah State Tax Commission and our own October 2026 airport route check on October 20, 2026.
The income tax arrives
Florida has no individual income tax. Utah taxes income at a flat 4.45% for tax year 2026 (Utah Code 59-10-104), and its taxpayer credit lowers the bill for most households. On $80,000 of taxable income, 4.45% is $3,560 before credits. File a Utah part-year return the year you move.
Sales tax: a little higher, groceries included
| Florida | Utah | |
|---|---|---|
| State rate | 6.00% | 6.10% (includes a 1.25% statewide local add-on) |
| Average local rate | 0.98% | 1.32% |
| Average combined rate | 6.98% | 7.42% |
Tax Foundation, as of July 1, 2026. Utah taxes grocery food at 3% statewide (Utah State Tax Commission); Florida is not on AARP's 2026 list of states that tax groceries.
Your house: different risks, different insurance
Florida homeowners think about wind and flood. In Utah County, the risk that standard policies leave out is earthquake: a Utah homeowners policy does not include it, and coverage is a separate purchase. Our homeowners insurance guide walks through the decision, and our radon guide covers a hazard most Floridians have not tested for.
Property tax. Utah's answer to the homestead exemption is the residential exemption: a primary residence is taxed on 55% of its market value (Utah Code 59-2-103). See our property tax guide and first-year homeowner calendar.
Your car
Register within 60 days of becoming a resident (Utah Code 41-1a-202). Utah County requires an emissions test for many gasoline vehicles, including model years 1996 through 2020, 2022 and 2024 on the DMV's current schedule. Our Provo DMV guide and car insurance in Utah cover it. Learn winter driving before your first storm.
Weather and air
Utah Valley sits around 4,500 feet. The air is dry, the sun is strong, and winters bring valley snow and cold mornings. Most winters also bring a few weeks of inversion, when cold air traps pollution in the valley. Your yard will likely depend on irrigation; see secondary water by city.
Getting back to Florida
Provo is a rare small airport with Florida nonstops. According to our Provo Airport routes page:
- Orlando (MCO): Breeze, a few days a week.
- Orlando-Sanford (SFB): Allegiant, a winter route listed from December 19 to April 10.
For other Florida cities, plan on a connection, or fly from Salt Lake City; see flying SLC from Utah Valley.
Community
Utah County is family-centered and far more uniformly Latter-day Saint than Florida. Read moving to Provo when you're not LDS for the honest picture, or how wards work if you are a member.
Before you leave Florida
- Budget for state withholding on your Utah paycheck.
- Price earthquake coverage when you buy a home.
- Buy a winter coat, boots and an ice scraper.
- Find an emissions station before your 60-day registration deadline.
Other states, same guide
We have the same guide for moves from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington, plus our cost of living in Provo breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Utah have a state income tax? Florida doesn't.
Is sales tax higher in Utah than in Florida?
Does Utah tax groceries?
Do I need earthquake insurance in Utah?
Can I fly nonstop from Provo to Florida?
How cold does it get?
Will my car need an emissions test in Utah County?
Is there a homestead exemption in Utah?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Grocery Food Rate, Utah State Tax Commission. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Utah Division of Motor Vehicles: Inspections, Utah Division of Motor Vehicles. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Utah Code 59-10-104 Tax rate, Utah Legislature. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Utah Code 41-1a-202, Utah Legislature. Checked October 20, 2026.
- Utah Code 59-2-103, Utah Legislature. Checked October 20, 2026.
- States That Tax Groceries, AARP. Checked October 20, 2026.
- State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026, Tax Foundation. Checked October 20, 2026.
- State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026, Tax Foundation. Checked October 20, 2026.
