Cape Coral FL vs New Bedford 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
New Bedford
6.0%
New Bedford +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 100,731 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 72.9% | 57.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 6.0% | New Bedford + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 24.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $56,025 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $30,475 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 7.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 19.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 16.8% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $439,767 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 40.0% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 326 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 22.0% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 21.4% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, 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
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, 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 New Bedford. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and New Bedford 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%.
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