Cape Coral FL vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 147,649 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 12.3% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 55.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 20.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $53,328 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $30,409 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 8.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 21.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 23.2% | Cape Coral + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 53.8% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 44.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.0% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.1% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cape Coral + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. 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