For the sake of these two comparisons, property tax is moot - since it has to be paid on houses regardless of where they are located. The only way around this is to have a much smaller (townhouse/condo) in one state versus a lake house, mansion, or estate in another state.
Florida vs Tennessee: Both states have no state income tax. Florida has higher property tax. Tennessee has no homestead exemption. Car insurance / registration is cheaper in TN.
SOLUTION: One spouse becomes a FL resident, and obtains a FL driver's license. Claim the homestead exemption. The other spouse remains a TN resident and registers all vehicles through that address.
WIN-WIN. Tie. Takes advantage of maximum savings from each state.
Florida vs California: CA has 10-14% state income tax. CA also has phenomenally high vehicle registration and insurance costs. CA's vehicle reg is on a declining scale based on value and age of vehicle. My then 13-year old pickup truck still cost $171/year. A new car of approximately $65,000 costs approximately $800/year. Claiming FL is a huge raise just walking in the door. CA sales tax in my old county is 7.75% versus 6% in FL. That's 1.75% more! Not a ton, until you go to buy a car, or golf cart, or you enjoy stocking up for the year at Costco.
If you maintain residences in CA, they will do everything, including subpoena where your doctor visits are and where you spend money (credit card and bank statements) to auto-tax you. It is up to YOU to sue and beat them to prove you are not a CA resident. SOLUTION: Ditch California as hard and as fast as humanly possible. Sell any property there. Leave no traces for the draconian Board of Equalization to get their tentacles into you. If you visit there, pay for everything in cash - leave no credit card trail. Move to another tax-friendly state if you do not want to be in Florida full-time. Submit the DL 142 form (
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/upload...05/dl142-1.pdf). Make sure to put reason as: MOVED OUT OF STATE PERMANENTLY. Keep a copy. In fact, I'd sent it certified or return receipt requested.
WINNER: Florida