Cape Coral FL vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Independence
5.3%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Cape Coral +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 121,944 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 5.3% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 72.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 12.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $59,480 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $31,683 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 15.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 20.9% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 61.0% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 37.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.9% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.4% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cape Coral, FL vs New York, NYCape Coral, FL vs Los Angeles, CACape Coral, FL vs Chicago, ILCape Coral, FL vs Houston, TXCape Coral, FL vs Phoenix, AZCape Coral, FL vs Philadelphia, PA