CostIndexUSA

Panama City, FL vs Sarasota, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableFL
Panama City
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
FL
Sarasota
102.4
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Panama City is moderately cheaper than Sarasota — 5.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Panama City, you would need $84,200 in Sarasota. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+32.8%
Panama City
96.4
Sarasota
128
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Panama City
96.2
Sarasota
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Panama City
103.8
Sarasota
103.8
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Panama City
93.9
Sarasota
93.9
Utilities≈ Equal
Panama City
88.1
Sarasota
88.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Panama City to see what you'd need to earn in Sarasota to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Sarasota, FL
$84,200
$4,200 more needed in Sarasota

Formula: salary × (102.4 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 1.0524. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Panama City, FL

Median Home Price
$337,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
96.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5×

Sarasota, FL

Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
128
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.3×

Sarasota has 32.8% higher housing costs compared to Panama City.

Income & Job Market

Panama City, FL

Median Household Income
$69,700
Per Capita Income
$39,700
Unemployment Rate
3%
Population
36,877
Top Industries
MilitaryTourismHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Sarasota, FL

Median Household Income
$78,900
Per Capita Income
$45,000
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
57,738
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareReal EstateFinanceArts

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Panama City, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Sarasota, FL
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.