How much does it cost to rent in Sarasota, FL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Sarasota, FL is $2,218. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Sarasota cheaper than other Florida cities?

Sarasota falls in the middle range for Florida, ranking #128 out of 288 cities at $2,218/mo.

When was Sarasota rent data last updated?

Sarasota rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

Is Sarasota a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Sarasota is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (up only 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · FL

Sarasota

Name: Average Rent Prices in Sarasota, FL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 56,970·128th most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for Sarasota, FL

Median rent (all units)

$2,218/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.5%

Month-over-Month

-3.2%

vs US Median

+$253

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Sarasota rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Sarasota · $2,218

More expensive than 70% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

84/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 17% below what Sarasota's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,218/mo

Expected by trend

$2,668/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Sarasota's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,431

1 BR

$1,787

2 BR

$2,087

3 BR

$2,742

4 BR+

$3,284

Research median

$2,087/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$26,616/yr

At $2,218/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (up only 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.5% YoY, -3.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Sarasota, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 41.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

56,970

Median income

$72,105

Median age

48.2

Renters

42.5%

Age distribution

15.6%

20.9%

20.8%

13.5%

29.2%

Under 1815.6%

18–3420.9%

35–5420.8%

55–6413.5%

65+29.2%

Gender

45.1%

54.9%

Male45.1%

Female54.9%

Race & ethnicity

65.5%

14.7%

17.9%

White65.5%

Black14.7%

Hispanic17.9%

Asian2%

Education (25+)

27.5%

23.2%

41.8%

No HS diploma7.5%

HS diploma27.5%

Some college23.2%

Bachelor's+41.8%

Housing tenure

57.5%

42.5%

Owner57.5%

Renter42.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Sarasota, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,683 → $2,218

up 31.8%

Income

$62,615 → $72,105

up 15.2%

Population

53,786 → 56,970

up 5.9%

Renter share

43.5% → 42.5%

-1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

38.3% → 41.8%

+3.5 pts

Median age

49 → 48.2

-0.8 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Sarasota, FL paid around $1,683 a month. That figure now sits near $2,218, up 31.8% from the 2021 baseline. On the earnings side, the typical household in Sarasota, FL now reports about $72,105, up from $62,615 in 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Sarasota, FL adding about 3,184 residents over the five-year window, up 5.9% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 38.3% to 41.8% across the same window. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Sarasota, FL reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Sarasota

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View Sarasota rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sarasota on your salary?

At $2,218/mo, how Sarasota rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $87,866/yr · Rent = 30.3% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $62,384/yr · Rent = 42.7% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $71,861/yr · Rent = 37% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $128,442/yr · Rent = 20.7% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $164,117/yr · Rent = 16.2% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $58,413/yr · Rent = 45.6% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $52,740/yr · Rent = 50.5% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $65,007/yr · Rent = 40.9% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Sarasota rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Sarasota. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sarasota

About renting in Sarasota, FL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sarasota is $2,218/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,431/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,087/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,787/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,742/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($72,105/yr), Sarasota ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sarasota an affordable city for renters?

Sarasota is considered moderate for renters. At $2,218/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($72,105/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sarasota slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Sarasota?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $89,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,218/mo in Sarasota. The local median household income is $72,105/yr, meaning the typical Sarasota household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sarasota?

Rent in Sarasota has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.5% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which Sarasota neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Sarasota are 34237 ($1,918/mo), 34238 ($1,995/mo), and 34234 ($2,040/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Sarasota is $2,218/mo.

How does Sarasota rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Sarasota is middle-of-the-pack for Florida for rent, ranking #128 out of 288 tracked cities at $2,218/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sarasota?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Sarasota ($2,218/mo): Bradenton ($1,850/mo), Nokomis ($2,148/mo).

What percentage of Sarasota residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.5% of Sarasota households are renters, while 57.5% are owner-occupied. Sarasota leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sarasota rent compare to the national average?

Sarasota's median rent of $2,218/mo is $253 (13%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #128 out of 288 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

37%

MODERATE

At $2,218/mo, rent takes ~37% of Sarasota's median household income ($72,105/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sarasota 37%Benchmark 30%

State income taxNone

Run the Sarasota affordability calculator →

Nearby cities