Living in Sarasota, Florida
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sarasota · Census data 2020–2024
Sarasota has 56,970 residents with a median age of 48.2. The median household income is $72,105 (3% lower than the Florida median), the median home value is $463,000, the median rent is $1,684/month.
Sarasota at a glance
- Population
- 56,970
- Median age
- 48.2State: 42.6
- Median household income
- $72,105State: $74,568
- Median home value
- $463,000State: $359,000
- Median rent
- $1,684/moState: $1,669
- Homeowners
- 57.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.8%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Sarasota a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%.
Cons: Median household income 3% lower than the Florida median; home values 29% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 15%.
The weather is best in February–March and November–December.
Cost of living in Sarasota
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sarasota the median home value is $463,000, 39% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,684 per month, which is 34.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,927 a month in housing costs.
Sarasota median household income
The median household income in Sarasota is $72,105 and the income per person is $60,995. 15% of residents live below the poverty line (Florida: 12.6%).
Housing in Sarasota: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 32,324
- Owner-occupied
- 57.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 42.5%
- Vacant
- 20.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1976
- Average household size
- 2.05
Sarasota demographics
- Population
- 56,970
- Median age
- 48.2
- Under 18
- 15.6%
- 65 and older
- 29.2%
- Households
- 25,751
- Foreign-born
- 16.2%
- Veterans
- 5.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sarasota ›
Education in Sarasota
41.8% of adults 25 and older in Sarasota have a bachelor's degree or higher (Florida: 34.1%), and 18% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sarasota
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 13.3%
- Drive alone
- 71.5%
- Public transit
- 1%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.2%
Sarasota vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarasota | 56,970 | $72,105 | $463,000 | $1,684 |
| North Sarasota | 2,824 | $85,179 | $241,600 | $2,076 |
| Pinecraft | 305 | $36,160 | $354,000 | $640 |
| Southgate | 5,772 | $80,133 | $422,000 | $1,671 |
| Kensington Park | 3,916 | $90,000 | $328,600 | $972 |
| Desoto Acres | 641 | $120,982 | $585,800 | — |
| South Sarasota | 4,837 | $92,933 | $780,200 | $1,693 |
| Desoto Lakes | 1,735 | $76,417 | $357,700 | $1,468 |
| Ridge Wood Heights | 5,366 | $69,894 | $370,700 | $1,587 |
More for people moving to Sarasota
Sarasota ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sarasota: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sarasota, FL?
The median household income in Sarasota is $72,105, 3% lower than the Florida median of $74,568 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sarasota?
The median home value in Sarasota is $463,000, compared with $359,000 in Florida.
How much is rent in Sarasota?
The median gross rent in Sarasota is $1,684 per month, about 34.8% of household income.
Is Sarasota, FL a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%. Minuses: median household income 3% lower than the Florida median; home values 29% higher than the state median; a poverty rate of 15%.
What is the median age in Sarasota?
The median age in Sarasota is 48.2 years (Florida: 42.6).
How long is the commute in Sarasota?
The average commute to work in Sarasota is 21 minutes; 13.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sarasota?
The unemployment rate in Sarasota is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sarasota?
41.8% of adults in Sarasota have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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