Sarasota, located on the southwestern coast of Florida, is known for its vibrant arts scene, beautiful beaches, and warm climate. Understanding the cost of living in Sarasota is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in this picturesque city.

The cost of living encompasses various aspects such as housing, dining, transportation, and groceries, which are essential for budgeting and financial planning.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $20 on average, with a range between $12.5 and $70.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $85, with prices ranging from $60 to $150.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $9, with a range between $9 and $10.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4 to $8, imported beer $7 to $10, cappuccino $4 to $9, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $4.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.79 and $1.59 per liter, averaging $1.16.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $3.31 and $6.61, with an average price of $4.28.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.99 to $7, averaging $4.78.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.96 to $8.82 per kg, while oranges range from $1.5 to $13.23 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.52 and $11.02 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.89 to $3 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.5 and $2.5.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.76 and $0.98 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.45.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1800 to $3800, averaging $2322.22.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1550 to $2000, averaging $1850.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2800 to $4500, averaging $3587.5.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2600 to $3750, averaging $3178.57.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $2152.78 to $5005.22, averaging $3030.07.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $1883.68 to $4520.84, averaging $3221.13.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $87.43 and $210, averaging $146.94.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $50 to $100, with an average cost of $71.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 61 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$20.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$85.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.33
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.16
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$4.28
Eggs (regular) (12)
$4.78
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.14
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.28
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$11.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.11
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.33
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$7.78
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.85
Apples (1kg)
$5.92
Oranges (1kg)
$3.67
Potato (1kg)
$4.18
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.42
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.70
Tomato (1kg)
$5.62
Banana (1kg)
$1.70
Onion (1kg)
$3.34
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$22.63
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$36,050.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.45
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,451.88
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$2,322.22
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,850.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$3,587.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$3,178.57
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$146.94
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$71.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$48.90
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$43.17
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.50
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$14.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.43
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$45.60
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$123.33
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$130.83
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$3,030.07
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$3,221.13
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,191.67
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.71%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$950.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$14,000.00
Sarasota Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Sarasota offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly depending on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices in Sarasota are relatively moderate, though some items like cheese and chicken fillets can be on the higher side.

Transportation costs are reasonable, with affordable public transport and gasoline prices.

Housing in Sarasota can be expensive, especially in the city centre, but there are more affordable options outside the centre.

Utilities and internet costs are generally moderate, contributing to the overall cost of living.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sarasota presents a mixed cost of living scenario with certain areas like housing and dining being more expensive, while transportation and utilities remain relatively affordable.

Prospective residents should consider their lifestyle preferences and budget accordingly to make the most of living in this vibrant Florida city.