Florida TaxWatch has released its 2025 “How Florida Counties Compare” report, and the data reveal that Escambia and Santa Rosa counties fare favorably compared to the state average and counties with similar populations.
The Tax Burden Gap
Escambia County residents face property tax levies of $1,296.39 per capita, ranking 43rd among Florida’s 67 counties. Santa Rosa County residents pay just $1,088.63 per capita—nearly $208 less per person and ranking 51st statewide. Both counties fall well below the statewide average of $2,397.57 per capita.
The difference becomes even more pronounced when examining county government operations specifically. Escambia’s county government levies $682.40 per capita compared to Santa Rosa’s $505.23—a $177 difference that reflects the level of service between the two counties.
- For example, the Escambia County Sheriff’s budget is $96 million, while the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s budget is $75 million.
How Escambia Compares to Peer Counties
Among counties with similar populations, Escambia stands out for its relatively low tax burden. St. Lucie County ($2,347.05 per capita) and St. Johns County ($2,209.22) levy significantly more—nearly double Escambia’s rate. Even Leon County, home to the state capital, collects $1,529.18 per capita, while Alachua County levies $1,713.68.
- For county government operations alone, St. Johns leads the peer group at $1,109.31 per capita, followed by St. Lucie ($832.63), Leon ($762.07), and Alachua ($714.24). Escambia’s $682.40 ranks lowest among these comparable counties, suggesting either greater efficiency or reduced service levels.
Santa Rosa’s Position Among Similar Counties
Santa Rosa’s low-tax approach becomes even more apparent when compared to counties of similar size. Neighboring Okaloosa County, despite a comparable population and Panhandle location, levies $1,669.27 per capita—53% more than Santa Rosa. Bay County residents pay $2,025.78 per capita, while Charlotte County’s $2,564.51 nearly doubles Santa Rosa’s levy.
- Even Hernando County, known for modest taxation, collects $1,271.59 per capita—17% more than Santa Rosa. Among this peer group, Santa Rosa ranks dead last in both property tax collections and total government revenue per capita.
Growth Outpacing Fundamentals
Between 2014 and 2024, Escambia County’s property taxes grew 84.5% while population and inflation combined grew just 45.5%—meaning taxes increased nearly twice as fast as demographic and economic fundamentals would justify.
Santa Rosa’s growth pattern is even more dramatic: property taxes surged 93.5% over the decade while population and inflation rose 68.4%. This 112.9% jump in county expenditures far outpaced the 69.6% combined population and inflation growth, placing Santa Rosa among Florida’s fastest-growing government spenders relative to underlying economic factors.
Revenue and Spending Patterns
Total county and municipal revenue per capita shows the widest gap between the counties. Escambia generates $2,952.93 per resident (ranking 40th), while Santa Rosa brings in just $1,602.76 per capita—the lowest in Florida. This $1,350 per-capita difference reflects Santa Rosa’s lighter government footprint and its large unincorporated areas, with 91.7% of residents living outside municipal boundaries of Gulf Breeze, Jay and Milton.
- By comparison, Bay County generates $6,138.88 per capita and Charlotte County collects $5,112.44, suggesting these counties provide more extensive services or face higher costs.
Among Escambia’s peer counties, only Alachua ($5,576.67) and Leon ($6,067.59) generate significantly more revenue per capita, likely reflecting their status as university towns with major state institutions.
Pensacola’s Fiscal Discipline
Among Florida’s 70 largest cities, the City of Pensacola’s property tax growth of 38.5% between 2014 and 2024 nearly perfectly matched its combined population and inflation growth of 38.9%. This makes Pensacola one of the few major Florida cities where tax increases tracked economic fundamentals rather than exceeding them.
With a population of 55,194 as of April 2025, Pensacola ranks 58th among the state’s largest municipalities. Its expenditure growth over the past decade also held at 38.5%—essentially matching population and inflation growth. This disciplined approach contrasts sharply with many Florida cities, where spending growth far outpaced demographic and economic changes.
- Ironically, CFO Blaise Ingoglia and Gov. Ron DeSantis targeted Pensacola for audit, making wild, unfounded claims of waste. Read more.
What It Means for Taxpayers
The Florida TaxWatch report arrives as state leaders, including the Governor and Legislature, propose constitutional amendments for property tax relief that will head to voters in November 2026.
The complete report is available at floridataxwatch.org.
