Samara Lakes vs Windward Ranch
Two St. Johns communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-09-18.
| Metric | Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $368K | $524K |
| Price per sq ft | $208 | $208 |
| Avg days on market | 45 days | 33 days |
| Months of supply | 2.3 mo | 1.2 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Strong Seller's Market |
| 1-year price change | -3% | -2% |
| Recent closings | 36 | 31 |
The verdict
Windward Ranch carries the higher median price — about 42% above Samara Lakes. Homes in Windward Ranch sell faster (33 days on market vs 45). Windward Ranch is the tighter market on inventory (1.2 months of supply).
What is for sale today
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 7 | 3 |
| Under contract | 3 | 4 |
| Asking prices today | $290K to $450K | $395K to $470K |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Samara Lakes homes for sale · Windward Ranch homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 265 | 203 |
| Built | 2005–2018 (median 2007) | 2015–2022 (median 2019) |
| Typical living area | 2,159 sq ft | 2,671 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 66% | 76% |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Samara Lakes median | Windward Ranch median |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $234K (107 sales) | $314K (36 sales) |
| 2017 | $233K (115 sales) | $323K (28 sales) |
| 2018 | $255K (89 sales) | $315K (43 sales) |
| 2019 | $240K (68 sales) | $314K (41 sales) |
| 2020 | $248K (63 sales) | $333K (52 sales) |
| 2021 | $319K (67 sales) | $360K (66 sales) |
| 2022 | $390K (55 sales) | $460K (43 sales) |
| 2023 | $395K (37 sales) | $550K (45 sales) |
| 2024 | $390K (31 sales) | $480K (24 sales) |
| 2025 | $362K (32 sales) | $470K (22 sales) |
| 2026 | $367K (36 sales) | $510K (31 sales) |
Since 2016, Samara Lakes's median sale price is +57% and Windward Ranch's is +63% — Windward Ranch has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 97.5% | 95.8% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,732 sq ft | 2,276 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 62 (hot) | 38 (cold) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Picolata Crossing | Mill Creek Academy |
| Middle | Pacetti Bay | Mill Creek Academy |
| High school | Tocoi Creek | St. Augustine |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Samara Lakes is the lower entry point (median $368K vs $524K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Windward Ranch; Samara Lakes trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Windward Ranch (33 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Windward Ranch more expensive than Samara Lakes?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Windward Ranch is $524,000 versus $368,000 in Samara Lakes, about 42% higher.
Which has newer homes, Samara Lakes or Windward Ranch?
Windward Ranch: its homes were built 2015–2022 with a median year of 2019, versus a median of 2007 in Samara Lakes (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Windward Ranch. The typical home there is 2,671 sq ft of living area, versus 2,159 sq ft in Samara Lakes.
Which has appreciated more, Samara Lakes or Windward Ranch?
From 2016 to 2026 the median sale price rose 57% in Samara Lakes and 63% in Windward Ranch (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Samara Lakes — sellers there received 97.5% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 95.8% in Windward Ranch.
What high schools serve Samara Lakes and Windward Ranch?
Listings in Samara Lakes most often report Tocoi Creek; listings in Windward Ranch report St. Augustine. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Samara Lakes homes, photos & schools · Windward Ranch homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.