01 · the cities
Naples
Naples brings wealthy retirees to the Gulf coast for genuinely some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, and the sunsets at the pier are a community ritual (everyone gathers, no one talks). The downtown along Fifth Avenue is pastel and breezy. Mercato has the upscale restaurants. The Everglades' western edge starts just south of town. Affluent, sunny, and quieter than the east-coast Florida cities.
full dispatch→Sarasota
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.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$2,719/mo
$2,121/mo
$598/mo less than Naples (28%)
Median home price
Median home price
$679k
$423k
$256k less than Naples
State income tax
State income tax
0%
0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$5,614/mo
$6,212/mo
Sarasota has $598/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
261 days
249 days
12 fewer than Naples
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
0 days
days below 20°F per year
Naples edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
58 / 100
59 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
34 routes
6 routes
28 fewer direct routes than Naples
Metro size
Metro size
404k metro
262k metro
the verdict
2
Naples
categories won
3
Sarasota
categories won
Sarasota wins on money. Naples has the edge on weather and lifestyle.
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