City comparison
No. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 150 in Jacksonville, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 155, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Jacksonville and 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Cape Coral split most clearly. Cape Coral scores 104 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville 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. Jacksonville 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. Jacksonville at $1,465 average has pockets that run $1,265 and others at $1,865: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Jacksonville and Cape Coral are 261 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, up $393 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $78,104 in Cape Coral, up $8,232 (12%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 46 in Cape Coral, down 104 points (69%).
The move
Cape Coral and Jacksonville are 261 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $393 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $8,232 (11%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 150 in Jacksonville, up 104 points (226%).
Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville and Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 21% cheaper than Cape Coral
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Cape Coral
$1,858/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,858 in Cape Coral, so Jacksonville is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $393/month back in your pocket ($4,716/year). Over five years that's $23,580 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, Jacksonville 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
12% higher
Cape Coral's median income is 12% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Cape Coral
Winner$78,104
Median household income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Cape Coral (about $8,232 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, Cape Coral is the stronger labor market on paper. Jacksonville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
69% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 69% lower than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
150 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 150 in Jacksonville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 69% 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. Jacksonville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
2% more comfortable
Cape Coral weather is 2% more comfortable than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Cape Coral
Winner73°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Cape Coral averages about 73°F (79°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cape Coral sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cape Coral scores 2% 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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% cheaper here at about $1,465 a month. Choose Jacksonville 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 12% 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 69% lower than Jacksonville (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 48/100 in Jacksonville. Rent is $1,858/month in Cape Coral and $1,465/month in Jacksonville, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Cape Coral still pays more locally ($78,104 median income vs $69,872), which can offset the lease if your field pays Cape Coral rates.
Median income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $69,872 in Jacksonville.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Cape Coral; Jacksonville only makes sense when you have walked the Jacksonville ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,465 rent.
Common questions
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