Florida Guide Florida regions, islands, and historic-city planning

Planning

Money and costs in Florida

Florida has no state income tax, but visitors pay sales tax, a county hotel or 'bed' tax, and often resort fees and tolls. Costs swing hard by season and region: winter on the Gulf islands and in Palm Beach is expensive, while summer and inland Florida are far cheaper. Budgeting is mostly about season, lodging taxes, and the extras.

Last checked July 12, 2026

Sales tax and lodging taxes

Florida's base state sales tax is 6 percent, and most counties add a discretionary surtax on top, so the rate you actually pay is usually in the 6.5 to 7.5 percent range depending on where you are. Groceries and medicine are generally exempt, but restaurant meals and most goods are taxed.

Hotel stays carry an additional local tourist development tax - often called a bed tax - set by each county, typically in the 4 to 6 percent range, layered on top of sales tax. Combined, lodging taxes can add well over 11 percent to a nightly rate, before any resort fee, so read the full price breakdown when you book.

Seasonal price swings and resort fees

The single biggest lever on a Florida budget is timing. Beach and island lodging in Naples, Sanibel, Captiva, the Keys, and Palm Beach can cost two to three times more in the January-to-April high season than in late summer. If your dates are flexible, shoulder months like May and November often pair decent weather with lower rates.

Full-service resorts, especially on the beaches, may add a daily resort fee and paid parking that are not in the headline rate. Beach access is generally free, but public beach parking often is not, so factor in parking on the barrier islands.

Tolls, tipping, and cash

Toll roads are common, particularly around Miami, on Florida's Turnpike, and on the Sanibel Causeway. Many tolls are cashless and billed electronically, so understand your rental car's toll arrangement to avoid surprise fees. Tipping follows U.S. norms - around 15 to 20 percent at restaurants, a dollar or two per bag or drink.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but a little cash is handy for small vendors, parking meters, and tips. Prices at the most exclusive addresses - Worth Avenue, the Palm Beach and Amelia Island resorts - run well above the state average.

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