2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Cape Coral

Florida (FL)

Best for: Boaters, retirees, families and remote workers who prioritize space, canals, Gulf access and warm-weather outdoor living.

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability74.2/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population236,264

Median Home$373,500

Median Rent$1,858

Median Household Income$78,104

Cost of Living~103.2 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute29.9 min

Unemployment~4.8% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaCape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

74.2overall

Housing & Financial Reality68.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living72.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability77.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity72.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness83.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place88.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion42.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape94.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging74.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment80.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture63.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity77.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. The street grid is simple, but bridge crossings to Fort Myers and fast population growth can produce congestion at predictable choke points.

Weekend EscapeExcellent. The Caloosahatchee, Pine Island, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Gulf boating are central to the regional lifestyle.

WalkabilityAbout 17/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so the quality of daily life depends heavily on where home, work and errands are located.

Airport AccessVery good. Southwest Florida International Airport offers broad domestic service and is reachable without crossing the entire metro.

Outdoor AccessExceptional for boating, fishing and water access. Cape Coral's canal network is a defining amenity, supplemented by parks, preserves and nearby Gulf beaches.

Healthcare AccessStrong. Cape Coral Hospital and the larger Lee Health network provide substantial local and regional care.

Air QualityGenerally good outside seasonal heat, humidity and wildfire/smoke events; red tide and storm-related conditions can periodically affect coastal air.

Third Places / Social LifeModerate. Waterfront restaurants, boating communities and growing commercial centers create social options, but the city remains more residential than urban.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Cape Coral stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for canal and boating access; newer homes; gulf proximity; sunshine; parks; family and retirement appeal. The city does not score well simply because of one headline statistic: its profile reflects housing, everyday ease, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure together. The clearest tradeoffs are car dependence; bridge traffic; hurricane and flood exposure; insurance costs; limited walkability and cultural depth.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Cape Coral feels low-rise, sunny and water-oriented. Daily life revolves around driving, canals and outdoor recreation rather than a traditional downtown core.

STRENGTHS