The Showdown

South Beaches vs Suntree

Suntree is the more affordable of the two — typical homes run about $470K versus $600K in South Beaches. South Beaches puts you on the sand in about 2 minutes. Suntree carries the lighter insurance and flood profile (tier 2/5, ≈10% in a FEMA flood zone). The right pick comes down to how you want to live — that is exactly what our two-minute match quiz sorts out.

CategorySouth Beaches3 winsSuntree4 wins

Typical home price

Lower = more affordable

$600K$470K

Est. monthly payment

20% down · 6.5% · 30y · incl. est. taxes & insurance

$3,914/mo$2,922/mo

Drive to the beach

2 min20 min

Public schools

FL DOE districts: South Beaches A · Suntree A

9/109/10

FEMA flood-zone share

≈ 75%≈ 10%

Insurance exposure

1 = inland-friendly · 5 = barrier island

5/52/5

Effective property tax

≈ 0.86%≈ 0.86%

Community size

9K14K

Public boat ramps (on our map)

10

Playgrounds (on our map)

20

Signature annual events

Turtle Krawl 5K · Guided Sea Turtle Walks—

Figures are market-level approximations from our living guides — individual homes and school zones vary. Trophies mark the stronger side of each measurable row; several rows are simply different, not better.

South Beaches vs Suntree: quick answers

Is South Beaches or Suntree cheaper to buy in?

Suntree is typically more affordable: homes run around $470K versus about $600K in South Beaches. With 20% down at 6.5% over 30 years, that is roughly $2,922/mo versus $3,914/mo including estimated taxes and insurance.

Which is closer to the beach — South Beaches or Suntree?

South Beaches: about 2 minutes to the sand, compared with roughly 20 minutes from Suntree.

Which has lower flood and insurance risk?

Suntree. It rates 2/5 on our insurance-exposure scale with ≈10% of parcels in a FEMA flood zone, versus 5/5 and ≈75% in South Beaches. Individual homes vary — always check the specific address.

How do the public schools compare?

They rate about the same (~9/10). South Beaches is in an FL DOE A district and Suntree in a A district.