Cape Coral FL vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Fort Lauderdale +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 183,032 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 42.9 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 72.9% | 51.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 20.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 15.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $510,297 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 53.8% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Fort Lauderdale
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.2% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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