City comparison
No. Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 93 in Tampa, and its violent crime index is 35 versus 112, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Tampa and 2024 FBI data for Cape Coral.
Tampa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,701 a month versus $1,858 in Cape Coral.
Safety is where Tampa and Cape Coral split most clearly. Cape Coral scores 47 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,701 in Tampa and $1,858 in Cape Coral.
This is a genuine split. Tampa wins on cost of living and Cape Coral wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Cape Coral has rougher pockets and Tampa has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Tampa and Cape Coral are 101 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,858 a month in Cape Coral, up $157 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $78,104 in Cape Coral, up $2,629 (3%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 46 in Cape Coral, down 47 points (51%).
The move
Cape Coral and Tampa are 101 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,858 a month in Cape Coral to $1,701 a month in Tampa, down $157 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $78,104 in Cape Coral to $75,475 in Tampa, down $2,629 (3%).
The crime index goes from 46 in Cape Coral to 93 in Tampa, up 47 points (102%).
Tampa, 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 Tampa and Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Tampa rent is 8% cheaper than Cape Coral
Tampa
Winner$1,701/mo
Cape Coral
$1,858/mo
Typical rent runs $1,701 a month in Tampa versus $1,858 in Cape Coral, so Tampa is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $157, or $1,884 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Cape Coral? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Cape Coral's median income is 3% higher than Tampa
Tampa
$75,475
Cape Coral
Winner$78,104
Median household income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $75,475 in Tampa, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Cape Coral (about $2,629 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
51% lower crime
Cape Coral's crime index is 51% lower than Tampa
Tampa
93 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral
Winner46 (100 = avg)
Cape Coral's crime index is 46 versus 93 in Tampa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% 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. Tampa can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tampa and Cape Coral are about even on typical weather.
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cape Coral
73°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Cape Coral averages about 73°F (79°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tampa
Tampa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% cheaper here at about $1,701 a month. Choose Tampa 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 and professional growth
Cape Coral is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 3% higher here ($78,104). Start with Cape Coral if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 51% lower than Tampa (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 62/100 in Tampa. Rent is $1,858/month in Cape Coral and $1,701/month in Tampa, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $157 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $78,104 in Cape Coral versus $75,475 in Tampa.
Cape Coral is ahead on safety (84/100 vs 62/100); Tampa is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,701/month rent plus $75,475 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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