City comparison
No. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Chicago and 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Safety is where Chicago and Cape Coral split most clearly. Cape Coral scores 121 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $1,858 in Cape Coral.
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. Chicago 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. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and Cape Coral are 1,105 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, up $418 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $78,104 in Cape Coral, up $202 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 46 in Cape Coral, down 121 points (72%).
The move
Cape Coral and Chicago are 1,105 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $418 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $77,902 in Chicago, down $202 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 167 in Chicago, up 121 points (263%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cape Coral, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Chicago rent is 22% cheaper than Cape Coral
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Cape Coral
$1,858/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,858 in Cape Coral, so Chicago is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $418/month back in your pocket ($5,016/year). Over five years that's $25,080 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, Chicago 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
1% higher
Cape Coral's median income is 1% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Cape Coral
Winner$78,104
Median household income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Cape Coral (about $202 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
72% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 72% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% 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. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Cape Coral weather is 52% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Cape Coral
Winner73°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Cape Coral averages about 73°F (79°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Cape Coral sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cape Coral scores 52% 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 Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 1% higher ($78,104), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 73°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 72% lower than Chicago (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.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Cape Coral scores 84/100 versus 44/100 in Chicago. Rent is $1,858/month in Cape Coral and $1,440/month in Chicago, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (84/100 in Cape Coral vs 44/100 in Chicago), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,440 in Chicago and $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Between Chicago and Cape Coral, Cape Coral is ahead on safety — 84/100 safety versus 44/100. Lean Chicago instead when you already know the Chicago block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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