Sarasota Still Draws Newcomers, Even as Its Neighbors Surge

Florida Realtors data and U-Haul moves show sustained growth across the region, with inland neighbors gaining ground.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Multiple indicators point to the Sarasota region still drawing newcomers from across the country, though with less frenzy than during the pandemic-era surge. Florida Realtors data on out-of-state driver license exchanges and U-Haul's Growth Index show migration patterns shifting, with inland neighbors like North Port gaining ground and Sarasota dropping in national retirement rankings.

Why it matters

The data offers insights into longer-term relocation trends in the Sarasota region, which has long been a destination for retirees and those seeking a Florida lifestyle, but is now seeing its inland neighbors gain ground as affordability and environmental factors play a larger role.

The details

The Florida Realtors data tracks when new Florida residents obtain a Florida license after moving, providing a county-level view of longer-term relocation. The U-Haul Growth Index measures directional movement based on one-way moving rentals. Together, the datasets show where people are settling and where migration momentum is headed. Local real estate agents say the numbers align with what they're seeing on the ground, with a gradual easing of the mortgage 'lock-in effect' and a broader national draw that includes more buyers from California and the West Coast.

  • In 2025, thousands of new residents surrendered out-of-state driver licenses for Florida ones in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
  • Florida ranked No. 2 nationally in 2025 for inbound moves, marking its 11th consecutive year in the top four states for inbound moves.

The players

David Crawford

Broker-owner of Catalist Realty in Sarasota and the current president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM).

Lakewood Ranch

A master-planned community that has absorbed a large share of newcomer interest in the Sarasota region.

Wellen Park

A master-planned community that has absorbed a large share of newcomer interest in the Sarasota region.

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What they’re saying

“Post-Covid was an outlier. We try to look at pre-Covid numbers as a more normal baseline. And we're still up.”

— David Crawford, Broker-owner of Catalist Realty in Sarasota and the current president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) (sarasotamagazine.com)

“Even if they wanted to move, it was hard to give up that current situation. That lock-in from 2022 and 2023 has loosened. People realize 4 percent is probably not going to happen again soon. Historically, around 6 percent is still strong.”

— David Crawford, Broker-owner of Catalist Realty in Sarasota and the current president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) (sarasotamagazine.com)

“In our day-to-day, we're definitely seeing more California and West Coast buyers than we did pre-Covid.”

— David Crawford, Broker-owner of Catalist Realty in Sarasota and the current president of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) (sarasotamagazine.com)

What’s next

Crawford expects migration into Florida and into Sarasota-Manatee specifically to remain strong in 2026, with net in-migration estimated at roughly 1,000 people per day statewide.

The takeaway

The Sarasota region is still attracting newcomers, but the migration patterns are shifting, with inland neighbors like North Port gaining ground and Sarasota dropping in national retirement rankings as affordability and environmental factors play a larger role in where people choose to settle.