Cape Coral FL vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 170,013 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 13.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 35.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $29,766 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 7.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 20.1% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $466,147 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 58.4% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Lancaster
30.6%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 30.6% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.3% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.9% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Cape Coral +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 33.0 min | Cape Coral + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. 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, Lancaster 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