Cape Coral FL vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 186,419 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 13.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 60.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 23.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 16.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $468,328 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 41.6% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.6% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.3% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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