Cape Coral FL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 13.6% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 53.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 12.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 11.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $435,807 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 51.2% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 30.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.6% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | 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
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. 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