Travel Nurse Housing in Sarasota, Florida: Complete Guide
Sarasota is a cultured Gulf Coast city in southwest Florida, known for white-sand beaches, a thriving arts scene, and a strong healthcare market. Travel nurses find excellent demand, no state income tax, and one of the most livable cities in Florida.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a major public hospital, complemented by Doctors Hospital and other facilities.
Whether you are heading to Sarasota for your first travel nursing assignment or returning for another contract, this guide will help you navigate the housing market, understand what to expect from local costs, and find a neighborhood that fits your needs. Sarasota has a lot to offer travel nurses, and a little planning goes a long way toward making your assignment a success.
Major Hospitals and Health Systems
Sarasota is home to several major hospitals and health systems that consistently hire travel nurses across a wide range of specialties. Knowing which facilities are in the area helps you plan your housing search around commute times and gives you a sense of where demand is concentrated.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital — A large public hospital with a Level II trauma center, over 800 beds, and comprehensive services.
Doctors Hospital of Sarasota — A community hospital with cardiac, orthopedic, and general medical services.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice — A newer campus serving the southern Sarasota County area.
Travel nurse demand in Sarasota is generally strong, with ICU, ED, med-surg, telemetry, and OR being among the most frequently requested specialties. Contract availability tends to be strong year-round, though demand typically peaks during winter snowbird season and year-round demand. If you are flexible on specialty or shift, you will have even more options to choose from in this market.
Best Neighborhoods for Travel Nurses
Choosing the right neighborhood is one of the most important decisions you will make during your Sarasota assignment. Where you live affects your commute, your safety, your access to amenities, and ultimately your quality of life for the duration of your contract. Here are the top neighborhoods that travel nurses should consider when searching for housing in Sarasota.
Downtown Sarasota
A walkable urban core with restaurants, galleries, and bayfront parks.
Pros: Walkable, cultural district, bayfront, excellent dining
Cons: Higher rents, traffic, limited parking
Siesta Key
A barrier island with the number-one-rated beach in America.
Pros: World-class beach, island lifestyle, restaurants, sunset views
Cons: Expensive, bridge traffic, tourist crowds, limited parking
Lakewood Ranch
A master-planned community east of I-75 with modern amenities.
Pros: Newer homes, amenities, safe, family-friendly, affordable
Cons: Suburban, car-dependent, farther from beach and downtown
When choosing where to live, prioritize keeping your commute under 30 minutes whenever possible. Car required. Sarasota is spread out with bridge traffic to the keys. If you are unfamiliar with the area, connect with other travel nurses who have worked in Sarasota through Facebook groups or online forums to get firsthand recommendations on neighborhoods.
Average Housing Costs
Housing costs in Sarasota are slightly above the national average. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay for rental housing in the area. Keep in mind that prices vary by neighborhood, season, and the specific amenities included with the unit.
- Studio apartment: $1,100 to $1,700 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: $1,300 to $2,100 per month
- Furnished apartment (travel nurse friendly): $1,600 to $2,600 per month
Sarasota has strong year-round demand. Winter snowbird season tightens the rental market. Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton offer more affordable options.
Many travel nurses in Sarasota find their housing through Furnished Finder , which connects healthcare travelers with landlords who specifically offer furnished, short-term rentals designed for assignment-length stays. It is one of the most widely used housing platforms in the travel nursing industry and an excellent starting point for your search. You can also explore local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and extended-stay hotels to compare your options and find the best fit for your budget and preferences.
GSA Stipend Rate
The General Services Administration publishes per diem rates that many travel nursing agencies use as a baseline for calculating housing and meals and incidentals stipends. The GSA rate for the Sarasota, FL area varies by time of year, with higher rates typically applying during peak travel seasons and lower rates during off-peak months.
It is essential to check the current GSA per diem rate for your specific assignment dates and location, as rates are updated annually each October and can change significantly from year to year. You can look up the exact rate on the GSA website or ask your recruiter for the figures they are using to calculate your pay package. Keep in mind that your actual stipend may differ from the published GSA rate depending on your agency’s internal pay structure and policies.
Understanding how your stipend fits into your total compensation is key to evaluating any travel nursing contract. For help breaking down the numbers, use our pay calculator to compare packages side by side and see your estimated take-home pay after taxes, stipends, and deductions.
Housing Tips for Sarasota
Every city has its own quirks and considerations when it comes to finding and securing travel nurse housing. Here are tips specific to Sarasota that will help you avoid common pitfalls, stretch your housing stipend further, and settle in more quickly.
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No state income tax — Florida’s no income tax advantage maximizes your stipend.
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Siesta Key Beach is legendary — Consistently rated the number-one beach in America for its quartz-crystal white sand.
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Cultural scene rivals larger cities — The Ringling Museum, Sarasota Opera, and galleries give Sarasota outsized cultural offerings.
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Hurricane season awareness — June through November requires preparation. Most storms miss Sarasota, but be ready.
For a comprehensive overview of the housing search process from start to finish, including how to spot scams and negotiate lease terms, check out our complete travel nurse housing guide. It covers everything you need to know regardless of which city you are heading to.
Cost of Living Overview
Sarasota’s cost of living is above the national average, driven by housing costs in this desirable Gulf Coast market.
When budgeting for your Sarasota assignment, factor in all of your regular expenses beyond rent. Publix, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods are available. The downtown farmers market on Saturdays is excellent. Tracking your spending during the first two weeks of your assignment will give you a realistic picture of your monthly costs and help you adjust your budget accordingly.
Things to Do on Days Off
One of the greatest perks of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore a new city on your days off. Sarasota has plenty to offer whether you prefer outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, or simply relaxing and recharging between shifts.
- Siesta Key Beach — Number-one-rated beach in America with powdery white quartz sand and turquoise water.
- The Ringling Museum — A 66-acre complex with a Baroque art museum, circus museum, historic mansion, and gardens.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — Beautiful bayfront botanical gardens in downtown Sarasota.
- St. Armands Circle — An upscale shopping and dining circle on the way to Lido Key.
Take full advantage of your time in Sarasota. Exploring the local culture, trying restaurants you have never heard of, and visiting nearby attractions are what make travel nursing more than just a paycheck. Many travel nurses find that their days off are when they truly fall in love with a new city.
Final Thoughts
Sarasota, Florida offers travel nurses a cultured Florida Gulf Coast city with the best beach in America, a strong hospital system, world-class arts, no state income tax, and one of the most livable communities in the Sunshine State. With Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Doctors Hospital of Sarasota and a above average cost of living, it is a market well worth considering whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned veteran looking for your next destination.
Start your housing search as early as possible, ideally four to six weeks before your assignment start date. The best furnished rentals tend to go quickly, especially in popular neighborhoods near major hospitals. Furnished Finder is an excellent resource for finding travel nurse housing in Sarasota, and joining local travel nurse social media groups can give you insider tips and real-time availability updates.
For more resources on finding and securing great travel nurse housing anywhere in the country, explore our complete housing guide. And when you are comparing pay packages for Sarasota assignments, our pay calculator can help you break down the numbers and understand your true compensation.
We wish you the best on your Sarasota assignment. It is a great place to be a travel nurse.