Moving from California to Palm Beach County for Work: What Changes

If you are moving from California for a job in Palm Beach County, expect a different tax structure, a different way of building and insuring homes, and a different closing process. Florida has no state personal income tax. Property taxes reset when you buy in both states, but the starting number is set differently. California starts from your purchase price, while Florida's county property appraiser values the home each January 1 from market sales. On a homesteaded primary home, Florida then limits annual increases in assessed value to 3 percent or inflation, whichever is lower. Homes here are often built with concrete block (CBS) and priced for wind and flood risk rather than earthquakes, and closings are usually handled by a title company.

More of my relocation calls now come from California. ServiceNow, based in Santa Clara, is building its regional innovation hub in downtown West Palm Beach, and D-Wave Quantum is moving its headquarters from Palo Alto to Boca Raton. If one of those moves is yours, here is what changes.

How do taxes compare with California?

• No state income tax. Florida does not tax personal income at the state level. Federal tax still applies.
• Prop 13 vs. homestead. In California, your purchase price generally becomes your base-year assessed value, and annual increases are limited to the lesser of inflation or 2 percent. In Florida, the county property appraiser sets a market value each January 1 based on sales of comparable properties, not directly on your price. On a homesteaded primary residence, the Save Our Homes cap limits increases in assessed value to 3 percent or the change in inflation, whichever is lower, and the homestead exemption separately reduces your taxable value. The cap resets after a sale, so the year after you buy, assessed value equals market value.
• Special assessments. If you know Mello-Roos, you will recognize a CDD. Many newer Florida communities have a Community Development District assessment on the property tax bill that pays for roads, utilities and amenities.

Leaving California is also a paperwork project, so talk with a tax professional about when your residency there ends. For the Florida side, see how to establish Florida residency the year you relocate, including why December 31, 2026 matters under Amendment 3.

How are homes built and insured differently?

Many South Florida homes are built with concrete block, listed as CBS, with impact-rated windows or shutters and roofs designed for wind. Insurance is shaped by the roof's age and type, the windows, and the flood zone, more than by earthquake risk. Two inspections matter early: the 4-point inspection and the wind mitigation inspection, which can lower your premium.

How is the closing process different?

Florida agents prepare and negotiate the purchase contract, usually on a standard statewide form, and closings are typically handled by a title company or a real estate attorney rather than a separate escrow company. Your deposit is held in escrow by the title company, an attorney or a broker. By custom in Palm Beach County, the seller typically pays the owner's title policy and the deed transfer tax. My guide on what happens after your offer is accepted in Florida walks through the steps.

What lifestyle choices do California buyers ask about?

• Golf and lake communities in Palm Beach Gardens, many with gated entries and club options.
• New construction, such as Avenir in Palm Beach Gardens, where you choose a builder and floor plan.
• Waterfront living with ocean access in Jupiter, North Palm Beach and Boca Raton. See what to look for in a waterfront home.

One practical note: Palm Beach County runs on Eastern time. If your team is still on Pacific time, afternoon meetings here can run into the evening, which is one more reason a home office and a short commute matter.

Where should you live for your new office?

Start with the office address. For downtown West Palm Beach, see where to live for a short downtown commute. For Boca Raton, see where to live if you work in Boca Raton. For Jupiter and Juno Beach, see the north county commute guide.

Not sure which part of Palm Beach County fits you? Take the 2-minute quiz.

This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Talk with a tax professional about your situation.

More guides for buyers relocating to Palm Beach County

• Moving to Palm Beach County for work: commutes and where to live
• How to establish Florida residency the year you relocate
• Working in Palm Beach Gardens: where to live
• Working in downtown West Palm Beach: where to live
• Working in Jupiter or Juno Beach: where to live
• Working in Boca Raton: where to live
• Moving from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut for work

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florida's homestead cap like Prop 13?

It is similar in spirit. California limits annual assessment increases to the lesser of inflation or 2 percent, starting from your purchase price. Florida's Save Our Homes cap limits increases in assessed value on a homesteaded primary residence to 3 percent or inflation, whichever is lower, but the starting point is the property appraiser's market value, not your purchase price.

What is a CDD in Florida?

A Community Development District is a special district that finances roads, utilities and amenities in many newer communities. Its assessment appears on the property tax bill, similar to a Mello-Roos assessment in California.

Who handles a real estate closing in Florida?

Closings are typically handled by a title company or a real estate attorney. Florida agents prepare the purchase contract, and the deposit is held in escrow by the title company, an attorney or a broker.

Published: October 19, 2026