Sarasota vs Fort Myers

Florida real estate investing comparison — 2026 data.

Metric

Sarasota

Fort Myers 🏆

Median SFH Price	$420K	$335K
Average Cap Rate	5.5–6.5%	6.0–6.8%
Avg Monthly Cash Flow (20% down)	$150–$320	$200–$400
Hurricane Risk (post-Ian)	Moderate	Higher (rebuilt stock)
Retiree Demand	Very High	Very High
Tourism/STR Demand	High (Siesta Key)	High (Sanibel/Fort Myers Beach)
Insurance Cost (avg SFH)	$4,000–$6,500/yr	$3,800–$7,500/yr
New Construction Availability	Moderate	High (post-Ian rebuild)
Property Tax Rate	~0.85%	~0.95%
Healthcare Employment	Strong (SMH)	Growing (Lee Health)

Sarasota

Sarasota offers lifestyle premium and strong retiree appreciation dynamics. Siesta Key STR income is exceptional. Best for investors prioritizing appreciation + STR income over pure yield.

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Fort Myers 🏆

Fort Myers delivers better yield math post-Ian with new construction inventory and strong snowbird demand. Canal-front Airbnb properties generate excellent returns for investors willing to underwrite hurricane risk properly.

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