Cape Coral FL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 72.9% | 16.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $48,416 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $25,509 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 10.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 24.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 17.4% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $482,675 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 24.1% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.0% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 23.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.2% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Cape Coral +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 35.9 min | Cape Coral + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. 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, Cape Coral 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