Sarasota vs Naples: key figures
Two Gulf Coast cities, one in Sarasota County and one in Collier County, compared row by row. Jobs are shown for each metro: North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton and Naples-Marco Island.
| Sarasota | Naples | |
|---|---|---|
| Zillow typical home value (Aug 2026) | $409,878 | $544,120 |
| 1-year change in value | -2.7% | -2.4% |
| Zillow typical rent (Aug 2026) | $2,175/mo | $2,549/mo |
| Property tax | 14.8815 mills total (2025) | City levy 1.23 mills (2025); total on the Collier County TRIM notice |
| Sales tax (2026) | 7.0% | 6.0% |
| Insurance context: Citizens HO-3 average, Sarasota/Collier County | $3,134 (Sarasota) | $4,531 (Collier) |
| Population (Census, July 2025) | 58,458 | 20,114 |
| Median household income (ACS 2020-24) | $72,105 | $153,182 |
| Average commute (ACS 2020-24) | 20.7 min | 22.4 min |
| Climate: Jan / Jul average high | 72.5°F / 91.1°F | 74.8°F / 90.8°F |
| Days a year at 90°F or hotter | 85.3 | 103.5 |
| Jobs | North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro: 357,800 nonfarm jobs (Aug 2026), +1.0% on the year; unemployment 5.0% (Jul 2026) | Naples-Marco Island metro: 174,500 nonfarm jobs (Aug 2026), +1.4% on the year; unemployment 5.0% (Jul 2026) |
A note on Naples values. Zillow's typical value for Naples ($544,120) is far below the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 owner-reported median for the incorporated City of Naples ($1,525,600). The city itself has only about 20,114 residents, and Zillow's Naples figure appears to cover a wider area. When you compare listings, check whether a "Naples" address is inside city limits or in unincorporated Collier County, because taxes and services differ.
Sarasota and Naples compared, one factor at a time
Home prices
Naples costs more on every measure. Zillow's typical value was $544,120 for Naples and $409,878 for Sarasota in August 2026, a gap of $134,242. Inside the city limits the difference is much larger: the Census medians are $1,525,600 and $463,000. Sarasota has a broader range of price points, from mainland condos to Bird Key and Longboat Key at the top.
Value trend
Both markets softened over the past year, Sarasota by 2.7% and Naples by 2.4%. Naples has the stronger five-year record, up 23.6% against 13.5% for Sarasota. Those are past results, not a guide to what happens next.
Rent
Zillow's typical rent was $2,549 a month for Naples and $2,175 for Sarasota. Naples rents rose 1.7% on the year while Sarasota's were flat, leaving a gap of about $374 a month.
Property tax
The City of Sarasota's 2025 total was 14.8815 mills, which on the typical Sarasota home works out to about $5,502 a year with homestead. The City of Naples' own levy was just 1.23 mills in 2025, according to the Florida Department of Revenue, against 3.273 for the City of Sarasota. Collier County and school levies come on top, and the full Naples rate is on each parcel's TRIM notice. Because Naples homes are more valuable, a lower rate does not always mean a lower bill. Sarasota's rates are broken down on the Sarasota County property tax guide.
Homeowners insurance
Collier County had the higher Citizens average: $4,531 for a multi-peril homeowners policy against $3,134 in Sarasota County, on policies in force at April 30, 2025. For 2026 Citizens recommended $4,391 and $3,005. Collier's average is well above the statewide Citizens figure of $3,506. Both coasts have large flood and surge zones, so the elevation of the particular house matters a great deal.
Sales tax
Collier County has no discretionary surtax listed for 2026, so Naples pays the 6% state rate. Sarasota County adds 1%, for 7%.
Monthly cost to own
At 10% down and 7.03%, principal and interest on the typical Naples home is about $3,268 a month, plus about $366 at Collier's Citizens average, before property tax. For Sarasota the equivalent is about $2,462 plus $250, and about $458 a month in estimated homestead tax, for $3,170 in all. Add Naples property tax from the TRIM notice to make a fair comparison.
Jobs
The Sarasota area is the larger labor market. The North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro had about 357,800 nonfarm jobs in August 2026, up +1.0% on the year, and the Naples-Marco Island metro about 174,500, up +1.4%. July unemployment was 5.0% in both. Naples is served by Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County; Sarasota has its own airport, about 3 miles north of downtown.
Commute
Both cities have short average commutes by Florida standards: 20.7 minutes for Sarasota residents and 22.4 for Naples residents, per the Census Bureau.
Climate
Naples is the warmer of the two in winter. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals give the Naples airport a January average high of 74.8°F and low of 55.9°F, against 72.5°F and 52.3°F at the Sarasota Bradenton airport. July highs are about the same, but Naples logs about 104 days a year at 90°F or more, against 85. Rainfall is nearly identical at about 49 inches.
Size and household income
Sarasota is the larger city, with 58,458 residents in July 2025 against 20,114 in Naples. Median household income for 2020 to 2024 was $153,182 in Naples and $72,105 in Sarasota, according to the American Community Survey, so Naples incomes and home values are both at the top of the state range.
Growth since 2020
Both cities are small and grew modestly. Sarasota went from 54,850 at the April 2020 base to 58,458 in July 2025, about 6.6%. Naples went from 19,126 to 20,114, about 5.2%. Most people in each county live outside the city limits (Sarasota County had 479,958 residents and Collier County 417,131 in July 2025), so county-level choices such as Osprey or the Palmer Ranch area are worth a look alongside the cities themselves.
Which beach is better, Naples or Sarasota?
That is a matter of taste, so here is what each has. Sarasota's beaches are on barrier islands: Lido Key is part of the city and reached by the John Ringling Causeway, and Siesta Key lies partly within the city limits, with most of it in unincorporated Sarasota County. Naples area beaches run along the mainland Gulf shore and include the Naples Pier, first opened in 1888, Vanderbilt Beach, Clam Pass Beach Park and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Visit each at the time of day and season you would use it, and check parking and access rules, which differ by beach.
Are people moving out of Naples or Sarasota?
The latest Census estimates split. The City of Naples dipped from 20,214 to 20,114 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, while the City of Sarasota rose from 57,775 to 58,458. Estimates for a city as small as Naples move with a handful of households, so read them as a direction, not a verdict. The measurable costs are clear enough: Collier's Citizens average premium of $4,531, values down 2.4% on the year, and hurricane exposure; Hurricane Irma made landfall near Marco Island in 2017 and Hurricane Ian came ashore in Lee County in 2022. People's own reasons for moving are not recorded in these figures.
Sarasota or Naples: match your priorities
A neutral checklist. Mark the items that matter most and see where they point:
- Lower purchase price: Sarasota, by about $134,242 at the typical level.
- Lower rent: Sarasota, by about $374 a month.
- Lower sales tax: Naples, at 6%.
- Lower city levy: Naples, though the total bill depends on value.
- Lower Citizens insurance average: Sarasota County.
- Larger nearby job market and own airport: Sarasota.
- Warmer winters: Naples; fewer 90°F days: Sarasota.
- Barrier-island beaches: Sarasota; mainland Gulf beaches and pier: Naples.
For the Sarasota side, see Sarasota real estate, Sarasota cost of living and Sarasota waterfront homes. We can introduce you to a local agent in either area.
Common questions
Is it better to live in Naples or Sarasota?+
Neither is better in general. Sarasota has lower typical prices ($409,878 against $544,120), lower rent, a larger job market and its own airport. Naples has warmer winters, a 6% sales tax and a very low city tax levy. Insurance averages are higher in Collier County. Compare homes of the same type in each.
Why are people moving out of Naples, FL?+
Census estimates show the City of Naples slipping from 20,214 to 20,114 residents between 2024 and 2025, a small change in a small city. The reasons are not measured. Visible costs include a Collier County Citizens average homeowners premium of $4,531, high home values and hurricane exposure along the coast.
Which beach is better, Naples or Sarasota?+
It depends on what you like. Sarasota's beaches are on barrier islands such as Lido Key and Siesta Key, reached by causeways. Naples beaches line the mainland Gulf shore, including the historic Naples Pier, Vanderbilt Beach, Clam Pass Beach Park and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Visit both in the season you would go most.
Why are people moving out of Sarasota?+
On net they are not: the City of Sarasota grew from 57,775 to 58,458 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, according to the Census Bureau. Some residents do leave, and the pressures are measurable, including a Sarasota County Citizens average of $3,134 and values down 2.7% on the year.
Is Naples more expensive than Sarasota?+
Yes. Zillow's typical value in August 2026 was $544,120 for Naples against $409,878 for Sarasota, and typical rent was $2,549 against $2,175. Inside the City of Naples, the Census median owner value for 2020 to 2024 was $1,525,600. Naples does have a lower sales tax, at 6% against 7%.
Is Naples warmer than Sarasota in winter?+
Yes, a little. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals show a January average high of 74.8°F and low of 55.9°F at the Naples airport, against 72.5°F and 52.3°F at the Sarasota Bradenton airport. Naples also has more days at 90°F or above each year.
Are property taxes lower in Naples or Sarasota?+
The City of Naples has a very low city levy, 1.23 mills in 2025 against 3.273 for the City of Sarasota, but county and school levies make up most of every bill. The City of Sarasota's full 2025 rate was 14.8815 mills. Because Naples values are much higher, compare the actual tax bill on each property rather than the rate alone.
Sources
- Zillow Research: ZHVI and ZORI data, August 2026
- US Census Bureau: City and town population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Reporter: ACS 2020-2024 median household income, gross rent and home value (B19013, B25064, B25077)
- Census Reporter: ACS 2020-2024 aggregate travel time and workers (B08013, B08303), used for average commute
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 annual climate normals
- NOAA NCEI: 1991-2020 monthly climate normals
- BLS: North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro nonfarm employment (CES)
- BLS: North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro unemployment rate (LAUS)
- BLS: Naples-Marco Island metro nonfarm employment (CES)
- BLS: Naples-Marco Island metro unemployment rate (LAUS)
- Citizens Property Insurance: 2026 recommended rate filing, average HO-3 premium by county (December 10, 2025)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Discretionary sales surtax rates, calendar year 2026 (DR-15DSS)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Sales and use tax
- Sarasota County Tax Collector: 2025 millage rates
- Florida Department of Revenue: 2025 municipal report (city millage by municipality)
- Florida Department of Revenue: Additional homestead exemption CPI adjustment
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey (30-year fixed 7.03%, September 24, 2026)
- US Census Bureau: County population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Wikipedia: Naples, Florida (beaches, pier, hurricanes)
- Wikipedia: Lido Key
- Wikipedia: Siesta Key, Florida
- Wikipedia: Southwest Florida International Airport
- Wikipedia: Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport