Cost of Living: Cape Coral, FL vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

Cape Coral is 84% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,751/mo ↑ 67%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↓ 40%
$76,062/yr ↑ 71%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 42%
$339,200 ↑ 145%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 59%
$1,523/mo ↑ 54%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 35%
206,387
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

27.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $704/month cheaper in Birmingham, saving renters about $8,448/year.

Median household income is $31,686/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Cape Coral residents a significant tax advantage over Alabama's 5.0% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Coral vs Birmingham — common questions

Is Cape Coral or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and Birmingham?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $704/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or Birmingham?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $31,686/year higher in Cape Coral.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Alabama?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to Cape Coral or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cape Coral details → View Birmingham details →

More Comparisons

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