Cape Coral FL vs Carmel IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Carmel
100,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Carmel
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Carmel
40.5
Carmel +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
12.9%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
3.7%
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Carmel
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 100,501 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 40.5 | Carmel + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 12.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 77.5% | Carmel + |
| Black | 4.5% | 3.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 11.6% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 5.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Carmel
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $134,602 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $71,546 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 2.7% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 3.7% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 74.5% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Carmel
$570,592
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
74.6%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $570,592 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 74.6% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Carmel
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Carmel
1719
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
30.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 30.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.5% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 4.4% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.2% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Carmel
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Carmel
42.2 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
Carmel
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cape Coral + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Carmel, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 26.4 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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