City comparison
No. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 47 in Gilbert, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 37, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Gilbert and 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral.
Cape Coral is cheaper. Median rent is $1,858 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
The income gap between Gilbert and Cape Coral is significant: $122,551 median household versus $78,104. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,110 in Gilbert and $1,858 in Cape Coral.
This is a genuine split. Gilbert wins on the job market and Cape Coral wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Gilbert and Cape Coral are 1,840 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, down $252 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $78,104 in Cape Coral, down $44,447 (36%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 46 in Cape Coral, down 1 points (2%).
The move
Cape Coral and Gilbert are 1,840 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $252 a month (14%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $44,447 (57%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 47 in Gilbert, up 1 points (2%).
Gilbert, AZ
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 Gilbert and Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
12% cheaper
Cape Coral rent is 12% cheaper than Gilbert
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Cape Coral
Winner$1,858/mo
Typical rent runs $1,858 a month in Cape Coral versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Cape Coral is 12% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,024, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Cape Coral still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Gilbert.
Planning to buy in Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
57% higher
Gilbert's median income is 57% higher than Cape Coral
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Cape Coral
$78,104
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $78,104 in Cape Coral, so typical pay runs 57% higher in Gilbert (about $44,447 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Gilbert is the stronger labor market on paper. Cape Coral can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
2% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 2% lower than Gilbert
Gilbert
47 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 47 in Gilbert (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Cape Coral. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Cape Coral, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Gilbert. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Gilbert and Cape Coral are about even on typical weather.
Gilbert
80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cape Coral
72°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs); Cape Coral averages about 72°F (79°F highs). Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cape Coral sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Gilbert is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 57% higher here ($122,551). Start with Gilbert if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Cape Coral is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 12% cheaper here at about $1,858 a month. Choose Cape Coral if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 2% lower than Gilbert (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
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Gilbert at $122,551 median income versus $78,104 in Cape Coral. Housing ($1,858 in Cape Coral, $2,110 in Gilbert) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Gilbert still pays more locally ($122,551 median income vs $78,104), which can offset the lease if your field pays Gilbert rates.
Safety scores read 83/100 in Gilbert and 84/100 in Cape Coral.
If local pay drives your move, Gilbert is the stronger match ($122,551 median income against $78,104). If an employer or family tie already points to Cape Coral, treat $1,858/month rent and $78,104 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Gilbert and Cape Coral, plus other cities in AZ and FL.
