Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Cape Coral, FL (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Cape Coral

Florida
114

Raleigh is 4% cheaper than Cape Coral.

$1,468/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,751/mo ↑ 19%
$82,424/yr ↑ 8%
Median Income
$76,062/yr ↓ 8%
$377,800 ↑ 11%
Home Value
$339,200 ↓ 10%
$1,487/mo ↓ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,523/mo ↑ 2%
470,763
Population
206,387

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Cape Coral, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 114 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $283/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $3,396/year.

Median household income is $6,362/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $339,200 in Cape Coral.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Cape Coral residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Cape Coral — common questions

Is Raleigh or Cape Coral cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 114 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Cape Coral?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Cape Coral it's $1,751/month — a difference of $283/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Cape Coral?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $76,062 in Cape Coral. Median household income is $6,362/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Florida?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Cape Coral?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Cape Coral details →

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