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 2026-11-12.
| Metric | Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $385K | $482K |
| Price per sq ft | $194 | $218 |
| Avg days on market | 92 days | 48 days |
| Months of supply | 0.7 mo | 3.0 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market (limited data) | Balanced Market (limited data) |
| 1-year price change | -3% | -2% |
| Recent closings | 36 | 12 |
The verdict
Windward Ranch carries the higher median price — about 25% above Samara Lakes. Homes in Windward Ranch sell faster (48 days on market vs 92). Samara Lakes is the tighter market on inventory (0.7 months of supply).
Where each one is
Samara Lakes and Windward Ranch are about 3 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share St. Johns County.
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| County | St. Johns County, FL | St. Johns County, FL |
| City / area | St. Augustine | St. Augustine |
| ZIP | 32092 | 32092 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 29 mi | 31 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 12 mi, Vilano Beach | 9 mi, Vilano Beach |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | all 16 sampled homes outside a flood zone | all 13 sampled homes outside a flood zone |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 2 | 3 |
| Under contract | 3 | 1 |
| Asking prices today | $375K to $445K | $385K to $475K |
| 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) | 211 | 258 |
| Built | 2005–2018 (median 2007) | 2015–2022 (median 2019) |
| Typical living area | 2,370 sq ft | 2,612 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 68% | 74% |
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 | $232K (96 sales) | $319K (40 sales) |
| 2017 | $234K (121 sales) | $315K (27 sales) |
| 2018 | $256K (80 sales) | $308K (45 sales) |
| 2019 | $240K (66 sales) | $316K (43 sales) |
| 2020 | $253K (65 sales) | $327K (55 sales) |
| 2021 | $332K (71 sales) | $381K (65 sales) |
| 2022 | $400K (46 sales) | $475K (38 sales) |
| 2023 | $396K (42 sales) | $545K (43 sales) |
| 2024 | $387K (31 sales) | $480K (27 sales) |
| 2025 | $373K (28 sales) | $452K (18 sales) |
| 2026 | $367K (36 sales) | $500K (35 sales) |
Since 2016, Samara Lakes's median sale price is +58% and Windward Ranch's is +57% — Samara Lakes has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Samara Lakes | Windward Ranch | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 97.6% | 96.4% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 0% |
| Typical sold home | 1,732 sq ft | 2,276 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 53 (normal) | 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 $385K vs $482K). 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 (48 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 $482,000 versus $385,000 in Samara Lakes, about 25% higher.
How far apart are Samara Lakes and Windward Ranch?
About 3 miles straight-line, center to center, both in St. Johns County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
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 2,612 sq ft of living area, versus 2,370 sq ft in Samara Lakes.
Which has appreciated more, Samara Lakes or Windward Ranch?
From 2016 to 2026 the median sale price rose 58% in Samara Lakes and 57% in Windward Ranch (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Samara Lakes — sellers there received 97.6% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 96.4% 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.