Cape Coral FL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 102,866 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 8.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 54.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 17.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $52,512 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $29,511 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,697 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 22.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 58.8% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
South Bend
1719
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 370 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1719 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 39.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.3% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.2% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Cape Coral +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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%.
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