Cape Coral, FL vs Tampa, FL

Cape Coral, FL and Tampa, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.5% difference in their overall index. Cape Coral scores 117 while Tampa scores 114 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month compared to $1,567/month in Tampa — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Tampa has cheaper rent, Cape Coral actually has lower median home values ($339,200 vs $375,300).

Median household income in Cape Coral is $76,062 compared to $71,302 in Tampa (+6.7%). While Cape Coral is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cape Coral spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, more than the 26.4% in Tampa.