with $100k coming in, swapping out of Baltimore

change
Sarasota, FL cityscape

next stop after baltimore

Sarasota

fl · metro 262k

photo: Jeffrey Eisen / pexels

a dispatch from

sarasota

FL

27.34°N

82.54°W

Sarasota is the home of the Ringling Brothers Circus (the museum is wild, and yes, there's a vintage clown college history), and Siesta Key's beach is regularly named the best in America for its pure quartz sand. The cultural scene is heavy for a Florida city of its size (theater, opera, art museum). Gulf sunsets here are the brochure shot. The food scene has caught up to the city's wealth and the retirees' time.

metro262k

in our guides

#10

of 10

Sunniest affordable US cities

read the guide
#10

of 10

Affordable cities to escape the cold

read the guide
#3

of 10

Low-tax cities with great weather

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities in states with no income tax

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities to live in the South

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best small cities to live in

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities on the East Coast

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities to live in Florida

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for a $150k salary

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for a $200k salary

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities to live in the Southeast

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities for foodies

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities to leave San Diego for

read the guide
#9

of 10

Best cities to live in your 30s

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$430

below Baltimore's monthly cost

You'd feel the difference in Sarasota. Not life-changing money, but real breathing room next to Baltimore.
landable, recorded on the sarasota entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$2,121/mo

14% more expensive than Baltimore(vs $1,868/mo)

02state income tax

0%

$683/mo less in state tax than Baltimore

vs 8.2% in Baltimore

03after rent

$6,212/mo

$430 more than Baltimore

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$423k

3% more expensive than Baltimore

vs $412k in Baltimore

05metro size

262k

vs 2.8M in Baltimore

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

249

pleasant days a year, in sarasota.

Baltimore only manages 168 of those.

96% fewer events than Baltimore. The pace eases up.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

59/100

11% lower than Baltimore

vs 66/100 in Baltimore

Closest outdoor draw: Myakka River State Park, 15.9 mi.

·walk score®

96/100

2% lower than Baltimore

vs 98/100 in Baltimore

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

6

92% fewer than Baltimore

vs 72 nonstops in Baltimore

04 · see also

if sarasota appeals, also worth a look:

see also

myrtle beach

more flight options

turn the page

see also

wilmington

$71/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

pensacola

$369/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare sarasota with:

Myrtle BeachWilmingtonPensacola