2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Santa Barbara, CA vs Sarasota, FL

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Sarasota older or younger than people in Santa Barbara?
- The Median Age in Sarasota is 9.9 years older than in Santa Barbara.

Are housing costs cheaper in Sarasota or Santa Barbara?
- Sarasota housing costs are 70.2% less expensive than Santa Barbara housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Sarasota or Santa Barbara?
- The average commute for residents of Sarasota is 3.2 minutes longer than it is for residents of Santa Barbara.

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

Things to do in Sarasota?
Sarasota, Florida is a vibrant and inviting city located on the west coast of the Sunshine State. With its beautiful beaches and palm trees, Sarasota offers plenty of opportunities to relax and soak up some sun. Visitors can explore the area's unique culture with a visit to one of its many local attractions, while outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a hike or bike ride through one of the many trails or parks around town. Plus, with its convenient location close to major cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg, visitors have easy access for a day trip if desired. With so much to offer, it's no wonder why Sarasota remains a popular destination year-round!

 Santa Barbara, CASarasota, FLUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,786329,725,481
 Median Income$89,243  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock4938.4
 Avg. Home Price$1,525,500  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.6%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time17.15  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

   |    Reply

If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Barbara

Reviews for Sarasota    105 Reviews

Sarasota is my home from birth but those of us who have lived here long enough to have seen the devolution of what was once an easy to navigate, clean, low crime beach  More

   |    Reply

Starting to love Sarasota: Wife and I moved to Osprey- a small suburb between Sarasota and Venice. We're about 13 miles to downtown Sarasota, so not "city dwellers".   More

   |    Reply

As always, anyone considering moving to anyplace new, including Sarasota, needs to come down and spend a month or two before actually moving here. The city is overrun  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Sarasota


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.