Cape Coral FL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 199,696 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 8.0% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 50.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 8.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $55,931 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $35,704 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 23.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 39.5% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Tallahassee
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Tallahassee
1453
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 324 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1453 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 34.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.3% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Cape Coral. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tallahassee 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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