Cape Coral FL vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cape Coral
206,387
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cape Coral
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Cape Coral
48.7
West Palm Beach
40.2
West Palm Beach +
Foreign Born
Cape Coral
17.9%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Cape Coral
4.5%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Cape Coral
1.6%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Cape Coral
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 119,508 | Cape Coral + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.7 | 40.2 | West Palm Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 17.9% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 72.9% | 44.0% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 4.5% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 25.1% | 24.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Cape Coral
$39,603
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cape Coral
$65,328
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cape Coral
25.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,062 | $69,261 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,603 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $65,328 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.4% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% | 14.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cape Coral
$339,638
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $339,638 | $399,650 | Cape Coral + |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.7% | 50.2% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
324
West Palm Beach
324
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
1453
West Palm Beach
1453
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, 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%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
13.4%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
14.4%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
15.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.7% | Cape Coral + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.4% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cape Coral
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cape Coral
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, 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
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Cape Coral, FL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while cape Coral offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $339,638. On public safety, West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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