Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Tempe is 5% more affordable than Sarasota. A $75,000 salary in Sarasota is equivalent to $70,982 in Tempe.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Florida salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Sarasota has a housing index of 132 while Tempe sits at 114 (national average = 100). The median home in Sarasota costs $380,000 compared to $400,000 in Tempe, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,800 in Sarasota versus $1,600 in Tempe.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Sarasota scores 104 while Tempe scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Sarasota (97) are higher than Tempe (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Sarasota is $52,147 compared to $56,068 in Tempe. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Tempe.
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