Moving to Sarasota, Florida: The 2026 Data Guide
As of 2026-09-09, the median home sold in Sarasota, Florida over the last 12 months went for $502,000 (1,659 closings across 221 communities in Momentum’s MLS record), about $267 per square foot for a median 1,736-sq-ft home built around 1995. Homes currently listed have been on the market a median of 47 days, and with 51 active listings against that sales pace the city is carrying roughly 0.4 months of supply. Sellers have been getting about 93% of their original asking price. That median is 25% above the median across Momentum’s Florida and Georgia coverage.
What your budget buys in Sarasota
Three price points from 60 recent Sarasota closings in our record, each showing what actually closed within 10% of that price:
- Around $318,000: the typical sale in this band was a 3-bed, 2-bath home of about 1,522 sq ft, built around 1990 (13 sales).
- Around $465,000: the typical sale in this band was a 3-bed, 2.5-bath home of about 2,095 sq ft, built around 1997 (8 sales).
The real monthly cost of owning in Sarasota
Take the median $502,000 home with 20% down at today’s 6.71% 30-year rate: principal and interest run about $2,594/month. Sarasota County’s typical total millage is 13.48 mills, so after the $50,000 homestead exemption the property tax is roughly $6,092/year ($508/month) for a new owner — the seller’s capped bill on the listing will be lower and is not your number. Citizens Property Insurance’s average premium in Sarasota County is about $2,126/year; private-market quotes vary with roof age and wind mitigation. 20% of current Sarasota listings carry an HOA, with a median of $38/month where one applies. All in, budget on the order of $3,279/month to own the median Sarasota home.
For the full worksheet — taxes by scenario, the homestead exemption, and how the Save Our Homes cap works after year one — see the Sarasota County property tax guide and our home insurance by county map.
Where people are buying: Sarasota’s most active communities
The communities with the most closings in the last 12 months, with each one’s median sale and how long its current listings have been on the market. Every name links to that community’s own guide with live listings.
| Community | Sales (12 mo) | Median | Days listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Gate | 82 | $543,000 | 32 |
| Lake Sarasota | 60 | $389,500 | 34 |
| Esplanade at Skye Ranch | 58 | $699,479 | 62 |
| The Lakes | 51 | $222,000 | 15 |
| Cassia at Skye Ranch | 45 | $635,424 | 53 |
| Bent Tree Village | 32 | $737,500 | 43 |
| Woodland Park | 32 | $493,500 | 32 |
| Emerald Landing at Waterside | 30 | $694,995 | 88 |
Sarasota by ZIP code
Sales and medians by ZIP over the same 12 months: 33556 (10 sales, median $412,500), 33511 (10 sales, median $328,000).
What’s for sale: property types, new construction, and age of homes
Of the last 12 months of sales, 87% were single-family homes, 2% townhomes or villas, and 12% condos. New construction accounted for 16% of closings, led by Esplanade at Skye Ranch, Cassia at Skye Ranch, Emerald Landing at Waterside, Windward At Lakewood Ranch, Monterey At Lakewood Ranch. The housing stock skews mixed: 17% of homes sold were built in 2015 or later and 13% before 1980.
Getting around from Sarasota
Measured from the center of Sarasota’s recent sales: Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 15 miles; Downtown Tampa is about 17 miles; Lakeland is about 35 miles; Sarasota is about 59 miles. Distances are straight-line; drive times depend on the corridor and time of day.
Schools, taxes, and insurance: where to verify
School assignments change; check the Sarasota County school grades page for the district’s current grades, and confirm zoning for a specific address directly with the district. Property tax figures on this page use Sarasota County’s typical millage of 13.48; municipal and special-district millage varies inside the county. Insurance uses Citizens’ Sarasota County average of $2,126/year; a wind-mitigation inspection and roof age can move a private quote a long way in either direction.
Sarasota: the case for and against
What works in Sarasota’s favor
- insurance is comparatively manageable here (Citizens average $2,126/year)
- most listings (80%) have no HOA
- no state income tax, and Florida’s Save Our Homes cap limits assessment growth once you homestead
What to plan for
- prices run 25% above the statewide median in our coverage
- only about 0.4 months of supply, so choice is limited in the most popular price bands
- property taxes reset to your purchase price, so never budget off the seller’s bill
Your Sarasota relocation toolkit
Common questions about moving to Sarasota
How much does a house cost in Sarasota, FL?
What does it cost per month to own a home in Sarasota?
What are property taxes like in Sarasota?
Is Sarasota a buyer's or seller's market right now?
Is there a lot of new construction in Sarasota?
Does Florida have a state income tax?
Sales figures are Momentum Realty’s MLS record of closings in Sarasota communities over the trailing 12 months (community snapshots as of their last refresh; price-band examples from the most recent closings on file); tax and insurance figures are Sarasota County data. Estimates, not guarantees; verify before relying on them. General relocation guidance, not financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.