Cape Coral, FL vs West Palm Beach, FL

Cape Coral, FL and West Palm Beach, FL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Cape Coral scores 117 while West Palm Beach scores 121 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 $1,709/month in West Palm Beach — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while West Palm Beach has cheaper rent, Cape Coral actually has lower median home values ($339,200 vs $369,800).

Median household income in Cape Coral is $76,062 compared to $69,261 in West Palm Beach (+9.8%). Cape Coral offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cape Coral spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, less than the 29.6% in West Palm Beach.