Cape Coral FL vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Palm Bay
41.3
Palm Bay +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
59.2%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 125,273 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 41.3 | Palm Bay + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 15.1% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 59.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 19.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Palm Bay
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $67,521 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $34,474 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 11.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 22.6% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Palm Bay
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Palm Bay
1453
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 36.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.6% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.5% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Palm Bay 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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