10 Most Affordable Sarasota Suburbs to Live In

Sarasota, FL, a Gulf Coast paradise, has risen in popularity for those looking to live in Florida. From famous foods and white-sand beaches to the fabulous nightlife, it’s not a surprise that about 54,800 people live in Sarasota. 

If you’re looking to buy a home in Sarasota, you’ll find that the median home sale price is $490,000, the average sale price per square foot is $350, and the housing market is very competitive. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment in Sarasota, the average rent price for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,868.

Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. We’ve rounded up a list of the 10 best affordable Sarasota suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 30-minute drive from the city. That way you can live close to Sarasota and all its cool activities without paying the premium price of living there.

#1: South Bradenton

Median home price: $208,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $189 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 25 minutes
South Bradenton, FL homes for sale
South Bradenton, FL apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $208,000, South Bradenton lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Sarasota suburb. About 26,900 people live in this suburban area and you’ll only be about a 25-minute drive away from downtown Sarasota. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to check out one of the local restaurants.

#2: Bayshore Gardens

Median home price: $210,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $207 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 20 minutes
Bayshore Gardens, FL homes for sale
Bayshore Gardens, FL apartments for rent

A little more expensive than South Bradenton is Bayshore Gardens. About a 20-minute drive away from downtown Sarasota, you can stroll along Bayfront Park and visit Lido Key Beach in no time. Make sure to check out Bayshore Gardens Park and Recreational District, when living in this suburb of 19,900 people.

#3: Memphis

Median home price: $265,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $187 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 25 minutes
Memphis, FL homes for sale
Memphis, FL apartments for rent

25 minutes away from downtown Sarasota, you’ll find yourself in the suburb of Memphis. From parks and outdoor recreation to shopping, there’s lots of things that make the town of Memphis a great place to live. Make sure to visit one of the many local shops and attractions if you move to the third most affordable suburb. 

#4: West Samoset

Median home price: $315,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $227 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 20 minutes
West Samoset, FL homes for sale
West Samoset, FL apartments for rent

A bit more expensive than Memphis is none other than West Samoset. With 6,500 residents in this Sarasota suburb, there’s plenty to do on a sunny Florida day.

#5: Ridge Wood Heights

Median home price: $329,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $257 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 11 minutes
Ridge Wood Heights, FL homes for sale
Ridge Wood Heights, FL apartments for rent

11 minutes away from downtown Sarasota is Ridge Wood Heights, another great suburb to consider moving to. With 5,100 people living in this affordable town, Ridge Wood Heights is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Sarasota without paying the premium for a home in the city. Living in Ridge Wood Heights, you can spend the day at one of the local parks.

#6: Palmetto

Median home price: $370,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $238 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 30 minutes
Palmetto, FL homes for sale
Palmetto, FL apartments for rent

Another well-known Sarasota suburb is Palmetto, where the median home sale price is about $120K less than in Sarasota. With roughly 13,300 people calling Palmetto home, it’s a great area to consider moving to. Whether you explore the 365-acre Emerson Point Preserve, grab lunch on the water, or check out the Palmetto Historic District, there’s many activities to do and see in this suburb. 

#7: Sarasota Springs

Median home price: $372,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $276 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 15 minutes
Sarasota Springs, FL homes for sale
Sarasota Springs, FL apartments for rent

Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable Sarasota suburbs is Sarasota Springs, which is about a 15-minute drive into downtown. With a population of close to 12,500, living in Sarasota Springs is a great alternative to Sarasota’s hustle and bustle. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to walk along the Sarasota Springs Trailhead.

#8: Bradenton

Median home price: $386,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $252 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 25 minutes
Bradenton, FL homes for sale
Bradenton, FL apartments for rent

Living in Sarasota, it’s likely that you know of Bradenton, the eighth suburb on our list. About 55,700 people reside in Bradenton, so you’ll have a fraction of Sarasota’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Living in Bradenton, be sure to explore Neal Preserve, visit Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, a planetarium, aquarium, and history museum, or stroll through downtown.

#9: Bee Ridge

Median home price: $425,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $259 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 15 minutes
Bee Ridge, FL homes for sale
Bee Ridge, FL apartments for rent

Without traffic, you’ll be in downtown Sarasota in about 15 minutes, making Bee Ridge a great place to consider moving to. About 10,000 people live in this suburb, but there’s always somewhere new to check out in Bee Ridge.

#10: South Gate Ridge

Median home price: $432,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $269 
Driving distance from Sarasota: 15 minutes
South Gate Ridge, FL homes for sale
South Gate Ridge, FL apartments for rent

Rounding out our list of affordable Sarasota suburbs, is South Gate Ridge. If you’re lucky to avoid traffic, it’ll only take about 15 minutes to drive into Sarasota. This suburb has a population of 6,000 and there’s always something to do while living in South Gate Ridge.

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Sarasota and under a 30-minute drive from downtown Sarasota. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

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