Minnesota vs Florida: Vehicle Registration Cost Comparison
Comparing what the same vehicles cost to register each year in Minnesota versus Florida, computed from both states' current official fee schedules:
| Scenario | Minnesota | Florida |
|---|---|---|
| New $45k gas SUV | $743.25/yr | $46.10/yr |
| 3-yr-old $35k gas car | $475.50/yr | $46.10/yr |
| New $55k EV | $1,175.75/yr | $46.10/yr |
| 10-yr-old $8k car | $54.50/yr | $46.10/yr |
For most vehicles, Florida is the cheaper state to register in — though the gap varies a lot by vehicle value and age. Keep in mind annual registration is only part of the picture: sales/excise taxes at purchase, insurance, and local property taxes on vehicles can outweigh the registration difference.
Minnesota in short
Minnesota's registration tax is value-based: 1.575% of your vehicle's base MSRP (for vehicles first registered since late 2020), multiplied by an age factor that starts at 100% and steps down to 10% in year ten — then a flat $20 from year eleven on. A new $45,000 vehicle owes about $700 in year one. Since January 2026 the EV surcharge is value-based too: 0.5% of depreciated MSRP with a $150 floor, and plug-in hybrids owe 0.25% with a $75 floor.
Florida in short
Florida's annual registration is cheap — $27.60 to $45.60 depending on vehicle weight — but first-time registrations sting: a one-time $225 Initial Registration Fee applies whenever a plate isn't being transferred from another Florida vehicle, plus title and plate fees. That means moving to Florida or buying a first car there costs roughly $350+ up front, while renewals afterward are among the lowest in the nation. Florida has no annual value-based vehicle tax.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/168.013 — last reviewed 2026-07-16.