Cape Coral FL vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 114,799 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 72.9% | 50.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 19.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $36,138 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 16.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $484,226 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 44.0% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Lowell
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.5% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.1% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | 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
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, 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 326 in Lowell. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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