Cape Coral FL vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 149,519 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 6.8% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.5% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 19.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $422,520 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Cape Coral +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 32.8 min | Cape Coral + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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