Cost of Living: Houston, TX vs Cape Coral, FL (2026)

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Cape Coral

Florida
114

Houston is 23% cheaper than Cape Coral.

$1,313/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,751/mo ↑ 33%
$62,894/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$76,062/yr ↑ 21%
$253,400 ↓ 25%
Home Value
$339,200 ↑ 34%
$1,316/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,523/mo ↑ 16%
2,300,419
Population
206,387

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
0%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Cape Coral, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 114 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $438/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $5,256/year.

Median household income is $13,168/year higher in Cape Coral. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $339,200 in Cape Coral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Cape Coral — common questions

Is Houston or Cape Coral cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Cape Coral?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Cape Coral it's $1,751/month — a difference of $438/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Cape Coral?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $76,062 in Cape Coral. Median household income is $13,168/year higher in Cape Coral.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Florida?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Cape Coral?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Cape Coral has a cost index of 114 with rent of $1,751/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Cape Coral details →

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