Cape Coral FL vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 156,309 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 8.5% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 4.5% | 1.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 22.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $575,076 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 58.1% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.8% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lakewood
17.3 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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