2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Sarasota, FL vs Fort Walton Beach, FL

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Highlights
Are people in Fort Walton Beach older or younger than people in Sarasota?
- The Median Age in Fort Walton Beach is 9.5 years younger than in Sarasota.

Are housing costs cheaper in Fort Walton Beach or Sarasota?
- Fort Walton Beach housing costs are 29.1% less expensive than Sarasota housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Fort Walton Beach or Sarasota?
- The average commute for residents of Fort Walton Beach is 1.3 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Sarasota.

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!

Things to do in Fort Walton Beach?
Fort Walton Beach is a city in Florida that is known for its beautiful beaches and amazing weather. The local attractions include the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, and the Air Force Armament Museum. There are also many great restaurants, shops, and activities to enjoy.The area offers wonderful outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, swimming, and beachcombing. Fort Walton Beach boasts a vibrant nightlife with live music, dance clubs, and bars.

 Sarasota, FLFort Walton Beach, FLUnited States
 Population  Unlock20,805329,725,481
 Median Income$62,615  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.538.4
 Avg. Home Price$454,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time20.38  Unlock26.38
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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Fort Walton Beach    10 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Ive lived in Fort Walton for atleast 15yrs.Ive seen the good days(early to late 200's)and now the bad.If you move here,youd better make atleast $10,000 a month.These  More

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I would like to know if Fort Walton Beach is a better place to live rather than busy Clearwater FL. We want to re-locate to a quieter city with all the amenities of a  More

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FWB is great for its beautiful beaches and saltwater fishing. It's also easy to move around town except during rush hour (yes, we have a rush hour - but it literally  More

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