Cost of Living in Lake Sarasota, FL

Population 3,802 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

123
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lake Sarasota is a smaller Florida community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $98,689 and housing costs ($338,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Located 35 miles southeast of St. Petersburg, Lake Sarasota falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with St. Petersburg's $332,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 111
Rent 141

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Lake Sarasota

The median home value in Lake Sarasota is $337,700 — 11% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,858/month, 41% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $98,689/year is 32% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Lake Sarasota has a cost of living index of 123 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 23% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$337,700
11% above avg
Median Rent
$1,858/mo
41% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.1x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 70.3%
Renter-occupied 29.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,858
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,472/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.8 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.8%
Carpooled
16.8%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
6.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$98,689
32% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,044
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
35% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.3%
Labor Force Participation
75.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.9%
Graduate degree 7.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.1
Male median age 35.2
Female median age 38.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
63.6%
Good air days/yr
143
Max AQI recorded
224
PM2.5 days
141
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lake Sarasota, FL?

Lake Sarasota has a cost index of 123 (100 = national average). It is 23% above the national average.

What is average rent in Lake Sarasota, FL?

The median gross rent in Lake Sarasota is $1,858 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lake Sarasota?

The median home value in Lake Sarasota is $337,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Lake Sarasota?

The median household income in Lake Sarasota is $98,689 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lake Sarasota, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Lake Sarasota is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Lake Sarasota, FL affordable?

Lake Sarasota is above average in cost of living, with an index of 123 — about 23% higher than the national average.

Lake Sarasota at a Glance

Population
3,802
Median Income
$98,689
Home Value
$337,700
Median Rent
$1,858/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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