Cape Coral FL vs Chesapeake VA — 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%
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Chesapeake
37.7
Chesapeake +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
6.1%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
56.2%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Chesapeake
3.7%
Chesapeake +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 251,153 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 37.7 | Chesapeake + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 6.1% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 56.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 29.0% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 7.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Chesapeake
$94,189
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Chesapeake
$43,819
Chesapeake +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Chesapeake
8.7%
Chesapeake +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Chesapeake
36.4%
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $94,189 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $43,819 | Chesapeake + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,581 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 8.7% | Chesapeake + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 36.4% | Chesapeake + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
$422,528
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
73.8%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $422,528 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 73.8% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
1726
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 240 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1726 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
40.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Chesapeake
15.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
12.9%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 40.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.9% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.8% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Chesapeake
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Chesapeake
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Chesapeake, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 27.3 min | Chesapeake + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chesapeake leads in median household income at $94,189, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, 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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