Cape Coral FL vs Simi Valley CA — 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%
Simi Valley, CA
California · Population: 125,769
- Median HH Income$117,703
- Median Home Price$839,862
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+37.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
125,769
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Simi Valley
41.8
Simi Valley +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Simi Valley
18.2%
Simi Valley +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
63.3%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
1.4%
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Simi Valley
10.7%
Simi Valley +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Simi Valley
27.1%
Simi Valley +
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 125,769 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 41.8 | Simi Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 18.2% | Simi Valley + |
| White | 72.9% | 63.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 1.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 10.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 27.1% | Simi Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Simi Valley
$117,703
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Simi Valley
$53,828
Simi Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Simi Valley
$77,230
Simi Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Simi Valley
6.7%
Simi Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Simi Valley
37.5%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $117,703 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $53,828 | Simi Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Simi Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 6.7% | Simi Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 37.5% | Simi Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
$839,862
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
73.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $839,862 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 73.0% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
2388
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Simi Valley
24.4%
Simi Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Simi Valley
10.3%
Simi Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
16.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Simi Valley
7.4%
Simi Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Simi Valley
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Simi Valley
10.1%
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 24.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.3% | Simi Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.3% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.4% | Simi Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.1% | Simi Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Simi Valley
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | 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 +
Simi Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Simi Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Simi Valley
31.0 min
Simi Valley +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Simi Valley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 31.0 min | Simi Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Simi Valley leads in median household income at $117,703, 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 503 in Simi Valley. 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, Simi Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.4%.
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