Moving to Davenport FL from Texas: 2026 Cost of Living & Relocation Guide

Moving to Davenport, FL from Texas in 2026 means trading one no-income-tax state for another — but with a meaningfully lower property tax bill. Davenport homes sell in the $300,000–$450,000 range, sit 20–25 minutes from Walt Disney World, and carry Florida’s effective property tax rate of roughly 0.8–0.9%, compared with the 1.6–1.8% effective rates common across Texas metros. For a $400,000 home, that difference alone can save a Texas transplant $3,000 or more per year.

Davenport is also one of Central Florida’s fastest-appreciating markets, with home values rising 8–10% annually — growth driven by Disney-corridor demand, new construction along the US-27 and I-4 corridors, and steady in-migration from high-cost states. Here’s what Texans need to know before making the move.

Why Texans Are Moving to Davenport, FL in 2026

Texas and Florida compete for the same movers: no state income tax, business-friendly climates, and warm weather. So why are Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio households choosing Davenport? Three reasons come up again and again. First, the total housing cost math — purchase price plus property taxes — often lands lower in Davenport than in the major Texas metros. Second, the Disney-area lifestyle: Davenport sits in northeast Polk County, 20–25 minutes from Disney parks, with Orlando’s airport, employers, and entertainment within a 35–45 minute drive. Third, newer housing stock: much of Davenport was built after 2015, so buyers get modern construction, current building codes, and builder warranties at price points that would buy a dated home in many Texas suburbs.

Texas vs. Florida: Property Taxes, Insurance & the Real Cost Math

Neither state taxes wage income, so the comparison comes down to property taxes and insurance. Texas consistently ranks among the highest property-tax states in the country, with effective rates around 1.6–1.8% in most metro counties — and above 2% in some school districts. Polk County, Florida’s effective rate typically runs 0.8–0.9% once the homestead exemption is applied. On a $400,000 home, that’s roughly $3,400 per year in Davenport versus $6,800+ in much of suburban Dallas or Austin.

Insurance partially offsets that gap. Florida homeowners insurance is higher than the national average, and Davenport premiums commonly run $2,000–$3,500 per year depending on the home’s age and roof. But here’s what many Texans don’t realize: Texas is itself a high-premium state due to hail and wind exposure, so the sticker shock is smaller than movers from other states experience. Inland Davenport also avoids the coastal wind-zone surcharges that drive Florida’s worst premiums — another advantage of being 60+ miles from either coast.

What $400K Buys: Davenport vs. Dallas, Houston & Austin

In Davenport’s core $300,000–$450,000 band, $400,000 typically buys a 4-bedroom, 2,000–2,400 square foot single-family home built within the last five years, often with a two-car garage and community pool access. Compare that with the major Texas metros in 2026: in Austin, $400,000 generally means a condo or a small home well outside the urban core; in Dallas–Fort Worth, a similar-sized home usually sits farther from employment centers and carries nearly double the property tax; Houston is the closest comparison on price, but flood-zone diligence and older housing stock complicate the search. Davenport’s 8–10% annual appreciation also outpaces the flat-to-modest growth most Texas metros have posted since 2023.

Davenport Communities Popular with Texas Transplants

Horse Creek at Crosswinds — A newer master-planned community off US-17/92 with single-family homes from the low $300s, resort-style pool, and quick access to the Posner Park retail district. Popular with young families making their first Florida purchase.

Del Webb Orlando at Ridgewood Lakes — A gated 55+ community with its own clubhouse, indoor pool, and golf at White Heron Golf Club. A frequent landing spot for Texas retirees who want resort amenities without coastal pricing.

Windsor Island Resort — A guard-gated resort community where short-term rentals are permitted. Texans who want a vacation home near Disney that earns income when they’re not using it should focus here rather than in residential-only neighborhoods.

Forest Lake — Value-focused new construction from the high $200s to mid $300s, making it one of the most accessible entry points in the Disney corridor for first-time Florida buyers.

Jobs, Commutes & Getting Around

Davenport workers commute along I-4 to the Disney/Lake Buena Vista employment cluster (20–30 minutes), Celebration’s medical and corporate offices (25 minutes), and downtown Orlando (40–50 minutes in peak traffic). Remote workers from Texas will find fiber internet standard in newer communities. One adjustment: Central Florida’s toll-road network (the 417 and 429) is more extensive than most Texas metros’, so budget $50–$100 per month for tolls if you’ll commute toward Orlando regularly. Orlando International Airport — with nonstop service to DFW, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio — is about 35 minutes away, which matters for transplants flying back to visit family.

Weather Reality Check: Trading Hail for Hurricanes

Texans arrive better prepared for Florida weather than most movers. Summer heat is comparable, though Davenport adds humidity and a daily afternoon thunderstorm pattern from June through September. The hazard profile shifts rather than grows: you leave behind Texas hail and tornado alley exposure and take on hurricane season (June–November). Inland Polk County is one of Florida’s lower-risk hurricane locations — storms typically weaken significantly before reaching Davenport — but new residents should still budget for shutters or impact windows and carry appropriate coverage. Winters are the payoff: December through February averages highs in the low 70s.

Your Texas-to-Davenport Moving Checklist

Start with financing and timing: Florida’s homestead exemption requires you to own and occupy the home by January 1 to claim it for that tax year, so a fall closing sets you up to file in the new year. Sell or lease your Texas home with the equity math in mind — Texas has no state capital gains tax and neither does Florida, so federal rules are all that apply. Update your driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency, register vehicles at the Polk County tax collector, and file a Florida Declaration of Domicile if you want a clean paper trail. Finally, work with a local brokerage that knows which Davenport communities allow short-term rentals and which are residential-only — the difference matters enormously for both lifestyle and resale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Davenport, FL than in Texas?

For most households, yes on housing: Davenport’s $300,000–$450,000 typical price range paired with a 0.8–0.9% effective property tax rate usually beats the total cost of comparable homes in Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio. Groceries and utilities are broadly similar; Florida insurance premiums are higher but partially offset by lower property taxes.

Do I pay state income tax after moving from Texas to Florida?

No. Florida, like Texas, has no state income tax on wages. Your federal tax situation is unchanged by the move.

How much are property taxes in Davenport compared to Texas?

Polk County’s effective rate is roughly 0.8–0.9% with the homestead exemption, versus 1.6–1.8%+ across most Texas metros. On a $400,000 home, expect to save about $3,000–$4,000 per year.

Can I transfer my Texas homestead exemption to Florida?

No — exemptions don’t transfer between states. You must apply for Florida’s homestead exemption with the Polk County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year after you own and occupy the home. Florida’s exemption removes up to $50,000 of assessed value and caps future assessment increases at 3% per year.

Which Davenport communities allow short-term rentals?

Resort-zoned communities such as Windsor Island Resort permit short-term rentals, while many residential communities like Horse Creek at Crosswinds and Del Webb Orlando do not. Always verify zoning and HOA rules before buying if rental income is part of your plan.

Rebecca Redman-Hamaoui is the broker and owner of Bella Trae Realty, specializing in residential real estate sales and property management across Winter Garden, Windermere, Clermont, Davenport, and Kissimmee. Contact Bella Trae Realty at bellatraerealty.com for expert guidance.