Cost of Living: Cape Coral, FL vs Downey, CA (2026)

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

Downey

California
169

Cape Coral is 33% cheaper than Downey.

$1,751/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↑ 8%
$76,062/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↑ 15%
$339,200 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$728,500 ↑ 115%
$1,523/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↑ 31%
206,387
Population
111,793

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

27.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $141/month cheaper in Cape Coral, saving renters about $1,692/year.

Median household income is $11,338/year higher in Downey. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Cape Coral residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Coral vs Downey — common questions

Is Cape Coral or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cape Coral is cheaper to live in with an index of 114 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and Downey?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $141/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or Downey?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $11,338/year higher in Downey.
How do taxes compare between Florida and California?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Cape Coral or Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cape Coral details → View Downey details →

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