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Sebastian, FL

Tourist and resort town · Hotel, restaurant and recreation jobs 1.9x the U.S. share

Vero Lake Estates is part of the Sebastian area. This page covers the whole metro.

How locals describe Sebastian

Sebastian at a glance

Each grade compares this area with all 813 U.S. metro and small-town areas: A is the top 20%, F the bottom 20%. Cost compares everyday prices with the U.S. average. Varro doesn't grade safety; crime facts are further down.

C
Cost
Everyday prices about 2% below the U.S. average
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis price index, 2024
F
Housing
Typical home value is about 4.8 times the typical household's yearly income ($351,500 vs $73,491)
U.S. Census ACS 5-year, 2024
D
Getting around
Average commute 24 minutes; 2% walk, bike or take transit to work
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
U.S. Census ACS 5-year, 2024
B
Things to do
162 restaurants, museums, theaters, music, game and book shops and historic places in the area (about 101 per 100,000 people)
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
U.S. Census County Business Patterns 2023, National Register of Historic Places
C
Outdoors
0 hiking trails, 20 campgrounds and 58 paddling spots nearby
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
OpenStreetMap contributors and federal recreation data
C
Jobs
Unemployment 4.5% (U.S.: 5.2%); jobs shrank 0.2% in the last year
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
U.S. Census ACS 5-year, 2024; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
C
Social life
64 bars, cafes, gyms, breweries and game shops in the area (about 40 per 100,000 people)
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
U.S. Census County Business Patterns 2023
D
Healthcare
0.6 primary care doctors per 1,000 people in the main county; nearest emergency room about 12 miles from the center
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
County Health Rankings 2025; Medicare Care Compare
B
Schools
Public school test pass rates about 2 points above the state average (22 schools)
Locals: Not enough local comments yet
U.S. Department of Education, 2021-22 (compared within the state only)
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What kind of place it is

Artsy, Growing

Scored the same way as the quiz, against 813 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Sebastian scores 70 or higher out of 100.

Artsy
87 / 100
10 museums, art galleries and theater companies in the area; arts jobs 1.2x the U.S. share
Growing
81 / 100
Growing faster than 81% of metros
A walk through Sebastian
Everyday life
Shops, cafes, and daily routines
Hobbies & activities
Trails, parks, and pastimes
Nearby scenery
Lakes, overlooks, and drives

Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.

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Around Sebastian

Where it is, what's close by, trails, buses and trains, and health care.
Where it is
Sebastian
Sebastian in Florida
Florida in the U.S.
State outlines: U.S. Census Bureau.

What's nearby

Within 5 miles of the center of the Sebastian area.

6
grocery stores
27
restaurants
5
coffee shops
35
parks
26
playgrounds
1
library
3
museums
1
bookstore
1
gym
14
bars
2
pharmacies
1
hospital

None found within 5 miles: movie theaters.

Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Stores nearby

Membership warehouses and popular grocery stores, measured from the center of Sebastian.
Costco
Membership warehouse (yearly fee to shop)
Nearest about 32 miles
Sam's Club
Membership warehouse (yearly fee to shop)
1 within 15 miles, nearest about 10 miles
BJ's Wholesale Club
Membership warehouse (yearly fee to shop)
Nearest about 20 miles
Trader Joe's
Nearest about 35 miles
Whole Foods Market
Nearest about 37 miles
Sprouts Farmers Market
Nearest about 21 miles
Target
1 within 15 miles, nearest about 10 miles
Aldi
3 within 15 miles, nearest under 1 mile
Not within 50 miles: Wegmans.
Straight-line miles, so the drive is longer. Store locations from each chain's own store finder, collected by the open-data project All the Places, October 2026.

Biking and trails

Within 5 miles of the center of the Sebastian area.

Bike lanes and bike paths
13 miles
more than most U.S. towns
Walking and hiking trails
72 miles
more than most U.S. towns

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.

Buses and trains

Bus stops within 1 mile
16
Bus stops within 5 miles
123
Nearest train station
None within 30 miles
U.S. Department of Transportation, National Transit Map (stops from each transit agency's schedule data, Sept. 2026). Straight-line distance from the town center. Counts stops, not how often buses come; check the local transit agency for schedules.

Health care

Nearest hospital with an emergency room: Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital in Sebastian, about 5 miles away in a straight line.

Orlando Health Sebastian River Hospital
Sebastian, FL · about 5 miles
Hospital · Emergency room
Medicare rating: ★★★★★ 4 of 5
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
Vero Beach, FL · about 10 miles
Hospital · Emergency room
Medicare rating: ★★★★★ 4 of 5
Palm Bay Hospital
Palm Bay, FL · about 17 miles
Hospital · Emergency room
Medicare rating: ★★★★★ 3 of 5
Holmes Regional Medical Center
Melbourne, FL · about 23 miles
Hospital · Emergency room
Medicare rating: ★★★★★ 4 of 5
In the county, compared with Florida and the U.S.
Primary care doctors
0.6
per 1,000 people · Florida: 0.7 · U.S.: 0.8
Dentists
0.7
per 1,000 people · Florida: 0.6 · U.S.: 0.7
Mental health providers
1.7
per 1,000 people · Florida: 2.2 · U.S.: 3.3
People under 65 without health insurance
14.0%
Florida: 13.9% · U.S.: 9.5%
Hospitals: Medicare Care Compare (CMS Care Compare, July 2026); distances are straight-line miles from the town center (located with the U.S. Census Bureau geocoder), so drive distance is longer. Doctors, dentists, providers and insurance: County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2025 release. In an emergency, call 911.

Costs of moving here

Rent, the move itself, and getting set up.

What rent costs

Of about 13,281 rented homes in the Sebastian area, 84% rent for under $2,000 a month and 96% for under $3,000.

Under $1,000: 23%
$1,000 to $1,499: 41%
$1,500 to $1,999: 21%
$2,000 to $2,499: 9%
$2,500 to $2,999: 2%
$3,000 or more: 4%

Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.

What moving costs

Hiring movers

Average cost: $1,946

From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.

Moving in as a renter

The middle rented home in the Sebastian area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $2,000 to $2,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $3,000 to $4,497 where landlords also ask for last month.

Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,000 to $1,499, that's a yearly income of about $36,000 to $53,964.

Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.

Moving to Florida: before and after

  • Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
  • Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Florida DMV.
  • Register to vote at your new address: Florida voter registration.
  • Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
  • Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
  • Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.

Schools and childcare

Schools

One public school district serves this county, with about 17,199 students. The county also has 5 public charter schools and 7 private schools. Which public school serves a home depends on its address.

Vero Beach High SchoolRosewood Magnet SchoolOsceola Magnet SchoolBeachland Elementary SchoolFellsmere Elementary SchoolPelican Island Elementary SchoolCitrus Elementary SchoolDodgertown Elementary SchoolVero Beach Elementary SchoolSebastian River Middle SchoolGifford Middle SchoolSebastian River High SchoolSebastian Elementary SchoolGlendale Elementary SchoolIndian River AcademyOslo Middle SchoolIndian River Charter High SchoolSt. Peter'S AcademyNorth County Charter SchoolLiberty Magnet SchoolSebastian Charter Junior High SchoolTreasure Coast Elementary SchoolImagine at South VeroStorm Grove Middle SchoolIndian River Virtual Instruction ProgramSt Edward'S School (private)Glendale Christian School (private)The Willow School (private)Tabernacle Baptist Christian School (private)St Helen Catholic School (private)Suncoast Primary School (private)Master'S Academy of Vero Beach (private)ST. LUCIE COUNTYOKEECHOBEE COUNTYOSCEOLA COUNTYINDIAN RIVER COUNTYBREVARD COUNTYSebastian
Public Public charter Private County line District that covers the center of Sebastian: Indian River County School District
District and county lines: U.S. Census Bureau. Tap a dot for details. A home's assigned school depends on its address; check with the district before you buy or rent.

Closest public schools to the center of Sebastian

Elementary
Pelican Island Elementary School1.6 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 5 · 346 students · 13.8 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 50%, math about 44% (state: reading about 53%, math about 55%)
Sebastian Elementary School1.8 mi
Public
grades Pre-K to 5 · 341 students · 14.8 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 45%, math about 51% (state: reading about 53%, math about 55%)
Treasure Coast Elementary School2.7 mi
Public
grades K to 5 · 679 students · 17.4 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 57%, math about 63% (state: reading about 53%, math about 55%)
Middle
Sebastian Charter Junior High School0.7 mi
Public charter
grades 6 to 8 · 296 students · 296 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 71%, math about 83% (state: reading about 53%, math about 55%)
Sebastian River Middle School2.3 mi
Public
grades 6 to 8 · 838 students · 21.5 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 43%, math about 53% (state: reading about 53%, math about 55%)
Storm Grove Middle School5.8 mi
Public
grades 6 to 8 · 967 students · 19 per teacher
Passed the state test: reading about 50%, math about 55% (state: reading about 53%, math about 55%)
High school
Sebastian River High School2.4 mi
Public
grades 9 to 12 · 1,791 students · 22.7 per teacher
Indian River Charter High School10.2 mi
Public charter
grades 9 to 12 · 691 students · 691 per teacher
Vero Beach High School11.4 mi
Public
grades 9 to 12 · 2,783 students · 23 per teacher
Private
Suncoast Primary School9.4 mi
Private
grades Pre-K to 8 · 45 students · 5.1 per teacher
St Helen Catholic School10.7 mi
Private
grades K to 8 · 271 students · 18.1 per teacher
Master'S Academy of Vero Beach11.2 mi
Private
grades Pre-K to 12 · 216 students · 9.6 per teacher

Straight-line miles from the center of Sebastian, nearest first. Being closest doesn't mean a school serves a given home. "Passed the state test" is the share of students who scored proficient or better on Florida's own reading and math tests in the 2021-22 school year, the latest year the U.S. Department of Education has published for every school. Each state sets its own test and passing bar, so compare schools within the same state, not across states. Test results track family income closely and leave out a lot (teachers, programs, how a school fits your child). For newer results, see the state's school report card.

Public school districts in the county

Indian River · Vero Beach
17,199 students · 17.6 students per teacher · 28 schools · grades Pre-K to 12

School choice and pre-K in Florida

Going to school in another district
State law says districts must accept students from other districts when they have room, under set rules. Ask the district you'd like about space and deadlines.
Picking a different school in your district
State law says families can ask for a different school in the same district, and the district must allow it when there's room.
Free state pre-K
63% of 4-year-olds in Florida attend state-funded pre-K (U.S.: 37% and 9%). Spots, hours and who qualifies vary by district.

School choice: state law as summarized by the Education Commission of the States, 50-State Comparison: Open Enrollment Policies (2022). Pre-K: share of children in state-funded pre-K, National Institute for Early Education Research, State of Preschool 2025 Yearbook (2024-25 school year).

Special education in Florida

Federal rating for the state: Meets requirements
Each year the U.S. Department of Education rates every state on how well it follows the special education law (IDEA) and on results for students with disabilities. This rates Florida as a whole, not your district or school. Each state also publishes yearly special education results for every district on its education department's website. Read Florida's 2026 rating letter.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, 2026 determinations on state implementation of IDEA Part B (issued June 18, 2026).

NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Private schools: NCES Private School Survey, 2021-22. Varro doesn't rank single schools. The area's Schools grade at the top of the page compares its test pass rates with the rest of the state only. For programs and newer results, see each district's site and the state's school report card.

Childcare and colleges

Daycare and preschool

Florida keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.

Typical full-time prices in this county (2022)
AgeDaycare centerHome daycare
Infant (under 2)$185/week
about $9,600 a year
$150/week
about $7,800 a year
Toddler (2)$160/week
about $8,300 a year
Preschool (3 to 4)$150/week
about $7,800 a year
$150/week
about $7,800 a year
School-age$125/week
about $6,500 a year

For an infant at a center: $185/week here, $225 across FL, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 12% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.

U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022. Middle (median) price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures average the county prices, weighted by population (Census 2024).
Search licensed childcare in Florida →
Link via childcare.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
The facts behind it
Typical home value
$363,706
What a typical home sells for across the Sebastian area.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026
Cost of living
About 2% below the U.S. average
Everyday prices (rent, groceries, services) run about $98 here for what costs $100 nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis price index 98.3 (U.S. = 100), 2024
Drive to the nearest big job hub
About 1 hr 42 min at rush hour
To downtown Orlando, FL, 104 miles. About 1 hr 41 min with no traffic.
Source: Google traffic estimate for a weekday morning around 8am
Average commute
24 minutes one way
How long residents' trips to work take on average, counting every job and way of getting there. U.S. average: about 27 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Data centers nearby
None within 15 miles
No mapped data center buildings near the town center.
Source: PNNL IM3 Data Center Atlas, from OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
Homeowners insurance
About $7,136 a year
The statewide average for a typical policy in FL. Your own quote will depend on the home.
Source: Statewide estimate, 2026
Natural disaster risk
Relatively High
FEMA's overall rating for the county, covering floods, storms, wildfire, earthquakes and more.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hail risk
Very Low
FEMA's rating for hail damage in the county, compared with other U.S. counties.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Hospitals nearby
1 within 5 miles
Hospitals mapped within 5 miles of the center. Emergency and specialty care vary, so check which ones fit your needs.
Source: OpenStreetMap (ODbL)
Drug overdose deaths (county)
19.8 per 100,000 people a year
34 deaths in the 12 months ending March 2026. FL average: 17.1 per 100,000. U.S.: 19.9. Counts are by where people lived, and recent months may still be updated.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, provisional counts through March 2026; Census population estimates 2024
People without housing (local count)
About 7.8 per 10,000 residents
HUD's one-night count in January 2025 found 569 people without housing in the Fort Pierce/St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin Counties area (3 counties): 152 in shelters and 417 outside, down from 701 in 2024. FL: 11.9 per 10,000. U.S.: 21.9. One-night counts miss people, and how areas count differs.
Source: HUD Point-in-Time Count, January 2025 (HUD, 2025 report to Congress); Census population estimates 2024
Median household income
$71,049
Half of households in the county earn more than this, half earn less.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Property tax
0.73% of home value a year
About $730 a year for every $100,000 of home value.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
State income tax
No state income tax
FL's state income tax. Some cities and counties add their own.
Source: Tax Foundation and the state's tax agency, 2026

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