City comparison
Yes. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 127, using 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral and 2024-2025 FBI data for Huntsville.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Safety is where Cape Coral and Huntsville split most clearly. Cape Coral scores 88 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,858 in Cape Coral and $1,171 in Huntsville.
Cape Coral is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Cape Coral is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Cape Coral and Huntsville are 628 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $687 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $3,390 (4%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 134 in Huntsville, up 88 points (191%).
The move
Huntsville and Cape Coral are 628 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, up $687 a month (59%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $78,104 in Cape Coral, up $3,390 (5%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 46 in Cape Coral, down 88 points (66%).
Cape Coral, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Cape Coral and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
37% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 37% cheaper than Cape Coral
Cape Coral
$1,858/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,858 in Cape Coral, so Huntsville is 37% cheaper. That's roughly $687/month back in your pocket ($8,244/year). Over five years that's $41,220 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Cape Coral, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Huntsville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Cape Coral's median income is 5% higher than Huntsville
Cape Coral
Winner$78,104
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Cape Coral (about $3,390 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
66% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 66% lower than Huntsville
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 66% lower in Cape Coral. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Cape Coral is the easier city. Huntsville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Cape Coral weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Cape Coral
Winner72°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Cape Coral averages about 72°F (79°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Cape Coral sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Cape Coral scores 6% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Huntsville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 5% higher ($78,104), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 72°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Cape Coral is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 66% lower than Huntsville (46 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Huntsville
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 37% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Cape Coral scores 84/100 versus 51/100 in Huntsville. Rent is $1,858/month in Cape Coral and $1,171/month in Huntsville, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Cape Coral still pays more locally ($78,104 median income vs $74,714), which can offset the lease if your field pays Cape Coral rates.
Weather averages land near 72°F in Cape Coral and 63°F in Huntsville.
Cape Coral is ahead on safety (84/100 vs 51/100); Huntsville is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,171/month rent plus $74,714 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
Ready to move to Cape Coral?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Cape Coral when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Cape Coral and Huntsville, plus other cities in FL and AL.
