Cape Coral FL vs Port St. Lucie 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%

Port St. Lucie, FL

Florida · Population: 220,453

  • Median HH Income$78,137
  • Median Home Price$327,700
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+26.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Port St. Lucie +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Port St. Lucie +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Port St. Lucie +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Port St. Lucie
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Port St. Lucie
1453
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Port St. Lucie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
12.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Port St. Lucie
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Cape Coral +
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min

Which City is Right for You?

Port St. Lucie leads in median household income at $78,137, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.

Compare More Cities

About Cape Coral & Port St. Lucie