Sanibel is in Lee County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it has about 6,400 residents, a median age of 65 and a median household income of $95,000. The figures below compare it on the same terms as every city on this site, each with its source, so you can check them yourself.
Population and income from the U.S. Census · housing from public listing data
| PopulationU.S. Census | 6,400 |
|---|---|
| Median AgeU.S. Census | 65 |
| Median Household IncomeU.S. Census | $95,000 |
| Median Home PricePublic listing data | $1,200,000 |
| Average Rent (2BR)Public listing data | $3,500 / month |
| Cost of LivingBEA regional price parities | 25% above U.S. average |
| Summer Avg TempNOAA climate normals | 91°F |
| Winter Avg TempNOAA climate normals | 76°F |
| Commute to Nearest City CenterEstimated drive time | 40 min |
| Commute to Nearest BeachEstimated drive time | Beachfront |
| County | Lee County |
| Flood riskFEMA flood maps | Check FEMA map ↗ |
| Unemployment 2024U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 3.4% |
| Cost of living 2024Bureau of Economic Analysis | 94 vs U.S. 100 |
5 areas people ask about in Sanibel
School zoning is set by address, not by city. Sources: Florida Department of Education and NCES for schools; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis for wages and cost of living.
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The comparisons buyers most often raise, with the figures behind them.
On price, Fort Myers Beach is the cheaper entry at a $650,000 median, against $1,200,000 in Sanibel. Sanibel reports a median household income of $95,000 against $65,000 in Fort Myers Beach. Two-bedroom rents sit near $2,800 in Fort Myers Beach and $3,500 in Sanibel.
Read more about Fort Myers Beach →Scale differs too: 53,000 people in Bonita Springs, 6,400 in Sanibel. On price, Bonita Springs is the cheaper entry at a $500,000 median, against $1,200,000 in Sanibel. Two-bedroom rents sit near $2,300 in Bonita Springs and $3,500 in Sanibel.
Read more about Bonita Springs →Scale differs too: 38,000 people in Estero, 6,400 in Sanibel. On price, Estero is the cheaper entry at a $480,000 median, against $1,200,000 in Sanibel. Two-bedroom rents sit near $2,200 in Estero and $3,500 in Sanibel.
Read more about Estero →Scale differs too: 224,000 people in Cape Coral, 6,400 in Sanibel. On price, Cape Coral is the cheaper entry at a $400,000 median, against $1,200,000 in Sanibel. Two-bedroom rents sit near $2,000 in Cape Coral and $3,500 in Sanibel.
Read more about Cape Coral →Checked against the published source, not estimated