Florida · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Sarasota County, FL

Prices around Sarasota County, FL run 2.4% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $83,416 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,958 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $78,320 a year.

Sarasota County, FL at a glance

Median household income

$83,416$6,951 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,958HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)102.4+2.4% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity15.1¢per kWh · EIA Residential FL
Population459,547Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Sarasota County, FL?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,958Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$78,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,085At 30% of $83,416
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Sarasota County, FL? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Sarasota County, FL, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,418$17,016$56,72020.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,686$20,232$67,44024.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,958$23,496$78,32028.2%
3-Bedroom Home$2,537$30,444$101,48036.5%
4-Bedroom Home$3,027$36,324$121,08043.5%

Rent in Sarasota County, FL, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Sarasota County, FL

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $83,416 a year ($6,951 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,476/moRent ($1,958 2-BR), utilities (~$136/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,085/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,390/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $83,416 leaves after Florida taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Florida tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$83,416
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$83,416
Net 81%
Fed 11%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$67,513After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,626Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,597Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,522 / yr
Florida state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,381 / yr

Living in Sarasota County, FL: common questions

What is the median household income in Sarasota County, FL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Sarasota County, FL is $83,416 per year (approximately $6,951 per month).

What is the average rent in Sarasota County, FL?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,418 for a studio, $1,686 for one bedroom, $1,958 for two, $2,537 for three and $3,027 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Sarasota County, FL expensive to live in?

Prices there run 2.4% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 102.4, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Sarasota County, FL?

To keep a $1,958 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $78,320 a year, or $6,527 a month. That is 94% of what the typical household in Sarasota County, FL earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Sarasota County, FL?

On the local median income of $83,416 ($6,951 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,476 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,085 for everything else and $1,390 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,958 takes 56% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Sarasota County, FL?

Homes in Florida paid 15.1¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $136. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.