Sanibel, FL

Florida · Metropolitan Area

Sanibel is a small city in Florida with a population of 6,402. Residents earn $122,730 per year, which is 63% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
6,402 Population 396/sq mi density
$122,730 Median Income $119,917 per capita
$912,200 Home Value $803,742 Zillow
$747 Median Rent
75°F Avg Temperature
71 Violent Crime/100K 1,524 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$122,730 median income, 2.0% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.5 / 5.0
$912,200 home value, $747/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
71 violent crimes/100K (81% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
61.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $122,730
63% higher than US avg
Home Value $912,200
224% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 71/100K
81% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 61.6%
83% higher than US avg
Median Rent $747
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.8%
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.2%
58% lower than US avg

How Sanibel Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population6,402
Median Age68.2 yrs
Density396/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A+
Median Income$122,730
Per Capita$119,917
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty5.2%
County GDP$9,770M
Commute21 min

Housing

C
Home Value$912,200
Rent$747
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$803,742

Crime

F
Violent71/100K
Property1,524/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault71/100K
Burglary470/100K

Health

Obesity25.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.4%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp75°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain57.4 in/yr
Elevation1 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+61.6%
High School+98.9%
School Score5.60

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 33%
Commute21 min
EV Stations2
Libraries4

Is Sanibel a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sanibel receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Sanibel offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sanibel is $122,730, which is significantly higher than the national average — 63% above $75,149. This places Sanibel among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. Only 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sanibel is $912,200, making it a premium housing market at 224% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $747 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.4x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Sanibel is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 71 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,524 per 100,000, 22% below the national average.

Education

Sanibel is a highly educated community — 61.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Sanibel has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F. Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Sanibel has a population of 6,402 with a density of 396 people per square mile. The median age is 68.2 years, 75% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.3%).

Population

6,402
Total Population
396
People / sq mi
68.2yrs
Median Age
75% above US avg
16.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46%
Female 54%

Race & Ethnicity

Sanibel vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.6%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.4%
67% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sanibel vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sanibel is $122,730, which is 63% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Sanibel vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$122,730
63% above US avg
Per Capita Income$119,917
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$84,200

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.2%
58% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,918
County GDP$9,770M

Business (County)

Restaurants317
Healthcare537
Retail617
Manufacturing76

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,581
117% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Work from Home29.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Sanibel is $912,200, 224% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $747 (36% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $803,742.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$912,200
224% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$803,742
Median List Price$999,777

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$999,777
$/Sq Ft$597
Homes Sold36
Sale-to-List Ratio91.9%
Price Drops26.1%
Inventory402

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$747
36% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,212
1 Bedroom$1,296
2 Bedrooms$1,526
3 Bedrooms$1,971
4 Bedrooms$2,261

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,581
117% above US avg
Effective Rate0.83%
In Sanibel, 25.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 19.4% report depression. 15.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sanibel vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.8%
20% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure26.3%
Asthma9.3%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.4%
Physical Inactivity15.5%
Depression19.4%
Mental Distress15.2%
Physical Distress9.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.3%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death9,589/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access83.4%
Healthcare Facilities537
Sanibel has a violent crime rate of 71 per 100,000 residents, 81% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,524 per 100,000 (22% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Sanibel vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent71.2/100K
81% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault71.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,523.6/100K
22% below US avg
Burglary469.9/100K
Theft1,039.4/100K
Vehicle Theft14.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sanibel has an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

65°F Jan (18°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average75.4°F
40% above US avg
January Average65°F (18°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.4 inches
51% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1 ft (0 m)
Area16.2 sq mi (41.9 km²)
Population Density396/sq mi
Coordinates26.4510°N, 82.1057°W
County FIPS12015
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 61.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (83% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.7%
D 32.7%

Winner: Republican by 34 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+61.6%
83% above US avg
High School+98.9%
School Test Score5.60
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density396/sq mi
Total Area16.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities537
Restaurants317
Retail Stores617

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)33
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Work from Home29.9%

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