Cape Coral FL vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 13.7% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 72.9% | 58.2% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
Cape Coral +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $54,546 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $31,152 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Cape Coral + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 6.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 18.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 51.7% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, 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%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 33.5% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.3% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cape Coral
31.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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