Florida Vs. Texas

A Comparison of Weather, Cost of Living Index and Ease of Travel by Vehicle

This is the second of a multi-part series. The first was Florida vs. Arizona and the third will be Florida vs. Hawaii. I already stated in my original post of Florida compared with Arizona and other popular snowbird destinations as follows:

"Let's begin by addressing the obvious. It makes the most sense that if your primary home is on the West Coast that you choose a snowbird community that is also on the West Coast. Right? Investing yourself in an area will be a long term pursuit if you choose wisely and getting there is a huge consideration of where to go. If unsure, then try out different options and see what works best. I highly doubt most snowbirds will repeat a trip from say, Indiana, Michigan or Ohio to Arizona more than once or twice. It's a long, multi-day drive. I'm not a gambler, but if I was, I would put high odds on what I refer to as the big slide. Most snowbirds slide south to their winter destinations.

My region in Northwest Florida primarily attracts people from the Northern Midwest states with a sprinkling of other areas mixed in. Most of my friends and acquaintances drive south on Interstate 65 all the way to our panhandle community. The last thing I want to do is spend more time on the road trip than absolutely necessary, especially with a dog on board.

If an individual or couple does not have pets or a lot of absolutely necessary belongings, flying is a possibility. But, there's more than meets the eye with that and unless you have no other option, such as a medical condition or choosing Hawaii for your winter destination, a road trip makes the most sense for all of the snowbirds I've ever encountered.  

[Flying Snowbirds]

Traveling to your snowbird community is a major factor, but the cost of living and weather are also significant. More than one conversation with future snowbirds has taken place about "Which is better?" types of scenarios. This post is the second of several that will discuss "Which is better?" of two states. Florida is the long recognized gold standard of snowbird destinations. It is the king of the country for popularity attracting seasonal residents such as snowbirds. However, it is not the only option and for many, it's not the best option for their own personal circumstances and needs.

Here I will briefly provide the facts of three topics: weather, costs and ease of travel comparing Florida with Texas. As always, weigh everything carefully and do your own research. The general information provided here is for a basic overview of what to expect and not intended to be specific for my readers." 

[Florida vs. Arizona]

Which is Hotter? Florida or Texas?

Florida!

Florida is the number one hottest state in the US with an average temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. Texas is ranked number three at 68.6 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024. In-between is Louisiana followed by Hawaii at number four, then Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas and Oklahoma rounding out the top ten. Alaska is the least hot with an average temperature of 27.8.

Winters in Florida are mild and summers are hot and humid. July is the hottest month of the year in Florida. Temperatures in Texas average in the high 50s to low sixties in the winter with lows dropping to freezing in the winter and an average of 1" of snow in January. The hottest month in Texas is August with an average 93 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Texas has a divided climate with the east being sub-tropical, high precipitation and humid and the west is arid and prone to drought.

Source: Climate at a Glance, StateWide Mapping - National Centers for Environmental Information

Source: https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/united-states/us

Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/hottest-states

Humid heat always makes temperatures feel hotter and more stifling because the high moisture in the air makes it difficult for sweat to evaporate from human skin. However, humid temperatures are generally better for sinuses and can decrease symptoms of asthma and allergies. In a dry climate, you may sweat more than in humid heat, but may not notice because the moisture evaporates from skin more quickly. It is easier to become dehydrated in dry climates.

Which is Sunnier? Florida or Texas?

Florida!

Florida is known as the "Sunshine State" and lives up to the name vs. the "Lone Star" State of Texas.

Florida has an average of 66% sunny days per year and an average of 101 clear days and 2,927 sunny hours, making it ninth of the states in the US. Data was measured in Tampa, Florida located on the Western Peninsular side of Central Florida. Texas is not far behind with an average of 61% sunny days per year and an average of 135 clear days and 2,850 sunny hours, making it seventeenth of the states in the US. Data was measured in Dallas, Texas located in the Northeast area of Texas.

For comparison, Arizona is by far the top state in the US for sun exposure and has the highest percentage of sunny days at 85% and an average of 193 clear days per year. Arizona's average number of 3,806 sunny hours per year is followed by Nevada and New Mexico respectively with 79% and 76% to round out the top three. Data was measured in Tucson, Arizona located on the southern border.

States with the highest percentage of sunny days in descending order are: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Kansas, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia. Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and Nebraska each have an average of 61% sunny days per year. Alaska has the least percentage of measured sunny days at 41%.

• • • “Sunlight Percentage” indicates the average annual percentage of time between sunrise and sunset that sunshine reaches the ground, based upon the past several decades of weather data.
    • Each state’s sunlight was measured using a specific test city, indicated below. Averages in other parts of the state may vary.
    • A small number of states lack sufficient data in one category or another

  Sources:  Average Annual Sunshine by State - Current ResultsSunniest States in the U.S. - Stacker

  Sources: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/sunniest-states

Which is More Intense? Florida or Texas Sun?

Florida!

The UV index is a measure of the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Texas and Florida both have very high UV rays; however Florida is rated as a "ten," and Texas is a "nine." Florida is higher with 3,636 compared with 3,538 average daily UV Irradiance 2015. Other states with a ten rating for UV rays are California and Nevada. With the highest score of 11, Hawaii is the state closest to the Equator and thus has the most intense UV rays. Alaska is the lowest with a score of one.

Skin cancer, premature aging and other health problems are all linked to prolonged UV exposure of the sun. Precautions such as using sunblock and avoiding sun and UV exposure should be taken to lower the risk of sun-related health issues. 

• UV Index values shown are averages for the noon hour. The UV Index at any given time and place may be higher or lower depending factors including the time of day, cloud cover, and altitude.

Source: EPH Tracking

Source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/uv-index-by-state

Which is Cheaper? Florida or Texas?

Texas!

The Cost of Living Index indicates Texas is better due to Florida's slightly more expensive rate than the national average. Florida's Cost of Living Index is 102.8 and Texas's score is lower at 92.7. Information included here is the most current "Composite Cost of Living Index 2024 Annual Average" published by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

For comparison, the State of Hawaii has the highest cost of living index with a whopping 186.9 and the state with the lowest score for 2024 is West Virginia at 84.1. My home state of Indiana is a reasonable 90.5 which is similar to Michigan's 90.4 and Iowa at 89.7. Other cold weather Midwestern states have scores as follows: Wisconsin, 97.0; Minnesota, 95.1; Illinois, 94.4; Ohio, 94.2 and Missouri, 88.7.

Northeastern states are all very high cost of living scores as follows: Massachusetts, 145.9; Washington D.C., 141.9; New York, 123.3; Maryland, 115.3; New Jersey, 114.6; Vermont, 114.4; New Hampshire, 112.6; Connecticut, 112.3; Rhode Island, 112.2; Maine, 112.1; Delaware, 100.8 and Pennsylvania, 95.1.

Northwestern states range from a high of California, 144.8; Alaska, 123.8; Washington, 114.2; Oregon, 112.0, Utah, 104.9; Colorado, 102.0; Idaho, 102.0; Nevada, 101.3; Wyoming, 95.5; Montana, 94.9; Nebraska, 93.1; South Dakota, 92.2; North Dakota, 91.9 and Kansas, 87.0.

Source: https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series

Which is Easier to Travel by Vehicle? Florida or Texas?

Florida!

The short answer is what major North/Southbound artery can you access without too much trouble? If you are located in the Western half of the US and Canada, Texas is most logical for your road trip destination. If you are coming from the Eastern half of the US and Canada, Florida is better. The population in the middle US and Canada have the biggest decision to make and it will likely be based on your own personal circumstances.

Florida has a distance of about 450 miles north to south with about 400 miles in the East/West upper portion of the state. No other state in the continental US can come close to Florida's 1,146 miles of shoreline. The peninsula of Florida is surrounded by the Gulf of America and Atlantic Ocean. Florida is almost 66,000 square miles and does not have any international border.

Texas has approximately 800 miles of angled distance from the Northern panhandle to the Southern coastal area around Brownsville and is approximately 773 miles East/West. Southern Texas has a shoreline of about 367 miles along the Gulf of America. Texas has 1,254 miles of international border with Mexico to the south. The state is the largest in the continental US with just over a total of 268,000 square miles. Alaska is by far the largest US state with just over 665,000 square miles and 6,640 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline. 

Because Florida is more compact in distance and has no shortage of fuel centers anywhere in the state, it edges Texas for travel by vehicle. Anyone who has driven in the Western US knows there may be long distances between fuel centers, including in Texas. Either Florida or Texas are acceptable for travel by vehicle, it will depend on individual circumstances and how much distance snowbirds are comfortable driving to arrive at their destination.

From East to West, this is the rundown of the major North/South arteries and where you'll end up. Both Texas and Florida have three major North/South interstate highways that will take you where you want to be. 

Interstate 95: Carolinas and Eastern Peninsular Florida

Interstate 75: Georgia, Central and Western Peninsular Florida

Interstate 65: Northwest Florida and Alabama

Interstate 55: Louisiana and Mississippi

Interstate 45: Eastern Texas

Interstate 35: Middle Texas

Interstate 25: Western Texas and New Mexico

Interstate 15: Northwest Arizona, Nevada and Southern California

Interstate 5: Southern California