Sarasota, FL

Florida · Metropolitan Area

Sarasota is a mid-size city in Florida with a population of 56,218. Residents earn $70,065 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
56,218 Population 3,824/sq mi density
$70,065 Median Income $59,028 per capita
$409,700 Home Value $408,978 Zillow
$1,514 Median Rent
74°F Avg Temperature
666 Violent Crime/100K 4,731 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$70,065 median income, 1.9% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.4 / 5.0
$409,700 home value, $1,514/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
666 violent crimes/100K (75% above avg)
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,065
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $409,700
45% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 666/100K
75% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 41.7%
24% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,514
30% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.9%
2% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population56,218
Median Age49.3 yrs
Density3,824/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,065
Per Capita$59,028
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$35,891M
Commute21 min

Housing

B
Home Value$409,700
Rent$1,514
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$408,978

Crime

F
Violent666/100K
Property4,731/100K
Murder3.7/100K
Assault418/100K
Burglary893/100K

Health

Obesity32.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.0%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp74°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain49.1 in/yr
Elevation23 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+41.7%
High School+92.4%
School Score6.40

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 41%
Commute21 min
EV Stations101
Libraries10

Is Sarasota a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sarasota receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Sarasota offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sarasota is $70,065, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sarasota is $409,700, 45% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,514 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.8x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 666 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,731 per 100,000, 141% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 41.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 92.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.4/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Sarasota has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F. Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Sarasota has a population of 56,218 with a density of 3,824 people per square mile. The median age is 49.3 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69%), with 15.3% Black.

Population

56,218
Total Population
3,824
People / sq mi
49.3yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
14.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.4%
Female 53.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Sarasota vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only83.2%
6% above US avg
Spanish16.8%
25% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Sarasota vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sarasota is $70,065, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Sarasota vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,065
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$59,028
Avg Weekly Wage$1,253
IRS Avg AGI$137,381

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)21,213
County GDP$35,891M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,068
Healthcare1,819
Retail1,764
Manufacturing370

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$11,105
217% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.71%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.3 min
Work from Home12.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Sarasota is $409,700, 45% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,514 (30% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $408,978.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$409,700
45% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$408,978
Median List Price$1,095,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,095,000
$/Sq Ft$469
Homes Sold95
Sale-to-List Ratio94.0%
Price Drops28.9%
Inventory895

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,514
30% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,130

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,418
1 Bedroom$1,686
2 Bedrooms$1,958
3 Bedrooms$2,537
4 Bedrooms$3,027

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$11,105
217% above US avg
Effective Rate2.71%
In Sarasota, 32.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.0% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.9%
2% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma9.7%
COPD6.1%
Stroke2.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression20.0%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.6%
Checkup Rate76.2%
Premature Death8,416/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access89.0%
Healthcare Facilities1,819
Sarasota has a violent crime rate of 666 per 100,000 residents, 75% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,731 per 100,000 (141% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.7 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent665.8/100K
75% above US avg
Murder3.7/100K
41% below US avg
Rape42.9/100K
Robbery201.4/100K
Assault417.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,731.4/100K
141% above US avg
Burglary893.3/100K
Theft3,631.1/100K
Vehicle Theft207.0/100K
Arson5.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sarasota has an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 62°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 49.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

62°F Jan (17°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average74.1°F
37% above US avg
January Average62°F (17°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall49.1 inches
29% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood
Good Days %67.2%
Unhealthy Days1

Geography

Elevation23 ft (7 m)
Area14.7 sq mi (38.1 km²)
Population Density3,824/sq mi
Coordinates27.3383°N, 82.5437°W
County FIPS12115
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 41.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.7%
D 40.6%

Winner: Republican by 18.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+41.7%
24% above US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score6.40
A Education Grade (4.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density3,824/sq mi
Total Area14.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations101
Alt Fuel Stations109
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities1,819
Restaurants1,068
Retail Stores1,764

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.3 min
Work from Home12.8%

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