Cape Coral FL vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 124,865 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 4.8% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 4.5% | 1.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 9.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,074 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Meridian
76.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $534,732 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 76.1% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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