Cape Coral FL vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Cedar Rapids +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 136,859 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 36.9 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 7.1% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 4.5% | 8.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 5.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $67,859 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,226 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 11.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 68.2% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.4% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.6% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.2 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
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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