Moving to Port St. Lucie from Maryland: A 2026 Relocation Guide
Quick answer: Maryland sends about 16,000 movers to Florida a year, and no wonder: it's the only state in America that charges BOTH an estate tax and an inheritance tax, on top of a state income tax (5.75%) plus mandatory county income taxes of 2.25% to 3.2%. Florida charges none of those. Homes cost about the same or less here. Baltimore metro runs around $386,000, Port St. Lucie roughly $400,000, and the DC suburbs far more. Southwest flies BWI to Palm Beach nonstop.
Marylanders know boats, blue crabs and the Bay. The water part of Florida life needs no selling. The tax part sells itself. Here's the 2026 picture.
The move at a glance
| Movers | About 16,000 Marylanders moved to Florida in 2024 (U.S. Census) |
|---|---|
| Income tax | MD: 5.75% state + 2.25 to 3.2% county | Florida: none |
| Death taxes | MD: the only state with both an estate tax and a 10% inheritance tax | Florida: neither |
| Home prices | Baltimore metro about $386K; DC suburbs much higher | Port St. Lucie roughly $380K to $400K |
| Flights home | Nonstop BWI to PBI on Southwest, about 2.5 hours |
The double death tax
This is Maryland's one-of-a-kind problem: an estate tax on estates over $5 million AND a 10% inheritance tax that hits many heirs from the first dollar. Florida has neither. For families thinking about what they'll pass on, this single difference often decides the move. Talk it through with an estate attorney, because getting the domicile change right matters.
The everyday taxes add up too
Maryland's 5.75% state tax gets all the attention, but the county piggyback tax, 2.25% to 3.2% everywhere in the state, makes the real rate 8% to 9% for many households. In Florida that line is zero, and once you homestead your home, you get up to $50,000 off assessed value with a 3% yearly cap on assessment increases.
Chesapeake to the Treasure Coast
The lifestyle translation is easy: the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon are our Chesapeake, calm, boatable, full of fish, and the ocean inlet adds what the Bay can't. Boats stay in year-round. The honest trade: home insurance costs more here, so quote it before you offer, and summers run hotter and longer than Annapolis.
Where Maryland buyers land
Bay boaters feel instantly at home in Stuart and the Palm City river neighborhoods; DC-corridor commuters-turned-remote like Tradition and PGA Village Verano; and the 55+ communities are full of Ravens and Orioles fans. Start with the Port St. Lucie guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Maryland really tax inheritances and estates?
Yes. It's the only state with both: an estate tax over $5 million and a 10% inheritance tax on many non-immediate-family heirs. Florida has neither. Estate planning is a major reason Marylanders change domicile.
Is Port St. Lucie cheaper than the Baltimore or DC area?
Similar to Baltimore, much cheaper than the DC suburbs, and the income-tax difference (roughly 8 to 9% combined vs. zero) moves the yearly budget decisively. Home insurance is the cost that rises.
Are there nonstop flights from Maryland to Palm Beach?
Yes. Southwest flies BWI to PBI nonstop, about 2.5 hours, and the DC airports add American, JetBlue and United service to PBI.
Is the boating here really comparable to the Chesapeake?
Different but arguably better: the protected river and lagoon for calm days, plus direct ocean access through the St. Lucie Inlet, and no winterizing, ever.
Talk with William. William helps out-of-state buyers plan the move, tour neighborhoods by video, and buy with confidence from a distance. Call or text (772) 800-2274 or send a message.
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Tax rules, prices and flight schedules change; confirm current details with a tax professional and the airlines. William Merchant, REALTOR®, RE/MAX Gold. Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.
