Cape Coral FL vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $527,542 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 37.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.6% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 28.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.4% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, 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
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. 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%.
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