Moving to Boca Raton from New York: A Realtor's Guide for 2026

Originally from New York, I found both my home and my calling in South Florida. So I understand the question New Yorkers ask themselves every year, is now the right time to make the move? Between the financial advantages, the lifestyle, and the steady migration of friends, family, and businesses heading south, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most active years on record for New Yorkers relocating to Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Highland Beach. If you are considering the move, here is what you should know.

New Yorkers Are Leading the Move to South Florida

Palm Beach County continues to be one of the top destinations for New Yorkers leaving the city and the surrounding suburbs. Between 2018 and 2022 alone, the county welcomed roughly 20,000 former New Yorkers with an average per capita income of about $190,000 contributing billions in income to the local economy. The trend has only accelerated, with a wave of corporate relocations, family moves, and second to primary home conversions reshaping the area's neighborhoods.

Boca Raton's mayor recently confirmed that several major corporate headquarters are planning moves to the city, and the inquiries from northern businesses keep coming. The community here has grown to feel familiar to New Yorkers, with the same restaurants, doctors, and professional networks they relied on up north, just without the snow and the tax bill.

The Tax Picture in Plain English

Florida has no state income tax. That is the single biggest financial driver for most New Yorkers considering the move. New York State income tax ranges from roughly 4 to 10.9 percent depending on income, and New York City residents pay an additional local tax of up to 3.876 percent on top of that.

For a married couple earning $500,000 in combined income, moving from New York City to Florida can save more than $50,000 a year in state and city income taxes alone. For retirees with $150,000 in pension, investment, or IRA income, the annual savings are commonly $10,000 to $15,000. These numbers are general estimates, and your personal situation should always be reviewed with a qualified tax professional, but the overall picture is hard to ignore.

Boca Raton: A Familiar Pace at a New Latitude

Boca Raton is often the first place New Yorkers tour, and many of them never leave. The city offers a mix of waterfront and golf course living, top tier private schools, country club communities like Boca West, St. Andrews, and Royal Palm, and a downtown anchored by Mizner Park. The energy and infrastructure of Boca feel familiar to anyone used to the Hamptons or Westchester, which is part of why it has become a true home for so many former New Yorkers.

Median sale prices in Boca have hovered around $640,000 in recent reporting, with strong activity in the $750,000 to $1.5M family home range and the $1.5M to $3M entry level luxury segment. Country club, gated, and waterfront communities are especially popular with New York buyers.

Delray Beach: For New Yorkers Who Love Walkability

If walkable downtowns and a true neighborhood feel are what you will miss most about New York, Delray Beach is often the perfect fit. Atlantic Avenue offers a year round mix of restaurants, art, music, and outdoor dining, with the beach just a few blocks away. The new Sundy Village development is adding even more dining and retail, drawing comparisons to a coastal version of the West Village.

Delray's recent median sale prices have been in the mid $500s, with the most desirable streets east of Federal Highway and east of Swinton Avenue moving quickly. Neighborhoods like Lake Ida, Tropic Isle, and Seagate continue to attract buyers from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island.

Highland Beach: The Quiet Luxury Alternative

For New Yorkers who want a calmer pace and direct oceanfront living, Highland Beach is the quiet favorite. With only three miles of coastline, no traffic lights, and a tightly knit community, the town offers a serene lifestyle while still being minutes from both Boca's amenities and Delray's downtown. Luxury condominium communities like Toscana, Coronado, and Boca Highland Beach Club & Marina are especially attractive to former New Yorkers who appreciate full service buildings and concierge living. Single family waterfront estates remain among the most coveted homes in southern Palm Beach County.

What to Expect in Your First Year

Beyond the tax savings, there are real lifestyle adjustments that come with the move. Most are wonderful. A few are worth planning for:

• The weather: mild, sunny winters are the dream. Summers can be hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs June through November, so factor in storm preparation and homeowner's insurance.
• Establishing residency: to claim Florida as your primary residence and the related tax benefits, you will need to spend more than half the year here, register to vote, get a Florida driver's license, and update your other key documentation. The Florida Homestead Exemption is also an important step for primary homeowners.
• Insurance and HOA fees: homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and condo assessments are more significant in coastal Florida than in many parts of New York. Build them into your budget from the start.
• Schools and healthcare: Boca and Delray offer excellent private schools and a deep bench of high quality medical care, much of it connected to the same nationally known networks New Yorkers already use.
• Community: the friend networks here are real and easy to plug into. Country clubs, fitness studios, charity boards, and beach club memberships are all common ways New Yorkers meet their neighbors and rebuild their social lives quickly.

Year Round, Seasonal, or Somewhere in Between

Not every New Yorker moves down all at once. Many start with a seasonal winter rental, then a second home, and eventually shift their primary residence to Florida as their schedules, businesses, and families allow. There is no wrong way to do this. The most important thing is to start with a clear sense of how you want to use the home, who will be living in it, and what you would want to be doing on a Tuesday afternoon in October. That clarity is what makes choosing the right town, the right neighborhood, and the right home much easier.

Why Working With a New York Native Matters

Relocating from New York is not just a real estate decision. It is a life decision. Having someone who has made the same move, knows what New Yorkers look for, and understands both markets makes the process noticeably smoother. From recommending the right mover, the right CPA, and the right title company, to making sure you do not miss the unwritten rules of country club applications or oceanfront condo associations, the right local guide can save you both time and money.

If you are considering a move to Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or Highland Beach this year, I would love to help you understand your options and walk you through the process from the very first conversation.