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

Cape Coral

Florida
114
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Cape Coral is 17% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,751/mo ↓ 5%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 5%
$76,062/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 11%
$339,200 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 41%
$1,523/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 17%
206,387
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Cape Coral, FL and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 114 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $91/month cheaper in Cape Coral, saving renters about $1,092/year.

Median household income is $8,555/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Cape Coral is $339,200 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Santa Maria — common questions

Is Cape Coral or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Cape Coral is cheaper to live in with an index of 114 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Cape Coral and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Cape Coral is $1,751/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $91/month.
Which city has higher income, Cape Coral or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $76,062 in Cape Coral and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $8,555/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Santa Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with median rent of $1,751/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Cape Coral details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

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