City Report · FL

Cape Coral

Pop. 215,536·208th most expensive in Florida·Rental market data updated monthly for Cape Coral, FL
Median rent (all units)
$1,929/mo
Year-over-Year
-3.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$33
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Cape Coral rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cape Coral · $1,929
More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
93/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 22% below what Cape Coral's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,929/mo
Expected by trend
$2,459/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cape Coral's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,680
1 BR
$1,690
2 BR
$2,093
3 BR
$2,750
4 BR+
$3,058
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,093/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,929 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$23,148/yr
At $1,929/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-3.4% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Cape Coral, FL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 26.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
215,536
Median income
$78,104
Median age
48.6
Renters
22.8%
Age distribution
17.6%
17.1%
24.4%
15.9%
25%
Under 1817.6%
18–3417.1%
35–5424.4%
55–6415.9%
65+25%
Gender
50%
50%
Male50%
Female50%
Race & ethnicity
69.4%
26.4%
White69.4%
Black4.2%
Hispanic26.4%
Asian1.4%
Education (25+)
34.8%
31.1%
26.9%
No HS diploma7.2%
HS diploma34.8%
Some college31.1%
Bachelor's+26.9%
Housing tenure
77.2%
22.8%
Owner77.2%
Renter22.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Cape Coral, FL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,546 → $1,929
up 24.8%
Income
$65,282 → $78,104
up 19.6%
Population
193,003 → 215,536
up 11.7%
Renter share
23% → 22.8%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
23.6% → 26.9%
+3.3 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Cape Coral, FL has increased from $1,546 to $1,929, a 24.8% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $65,282 to $78,104 across the same window, up 19.6% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 11.7% since 2021, moving from about 193,003 residents to roughly 215,536. College-educated residents now make up 26.9% of adults here, versus 23.6% in 2021. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Cape Coral, FL look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Cape Coral

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Cape Coral rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cape Coral on your salary?

At $1,929/mo, how Cape Coral rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cape Coral rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cape Coral. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cape Coral

About renting in Cape Coral, FL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Cape Coral is $1,929/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,680/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,093/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,750/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($78,104/yr), Cape Coral ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cape Coral an affordable city for renters?

Cape Coral is considered moderate for renters. At $1,929/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($78,104/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cape Coral slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cape Coral?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,929/mo in Cape Coral. The local median household income is $78,104/yr, meaning the typical Cape Coral household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cape Coral?

Rent in Cape Coral has decreased 3.4% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Cape Coral neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Cape Coral are 33991 ($1,836/mo), 33909 ($1,867/mo), and 33904 ($1,878/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Cape Coral is $1,929/mo.

How does Cape Coral rent compare to other cities in Florida?

Cape Coral is one of the more affordable cities in Florida for rent, ranking #208 out of 291 tracked cities at $1,929/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cape Coral?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cape Coral ($1,929/mo): North Fort Myers ($1,577/mo), Fort Myers ($1,775/mo), Lehigh Acres ($1,825/mo).

What percentage of Cape Coral residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 22.8% of Cape Coral households are renters, while 77.2% are owner-occupied. Cape Coral leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cape Coral rent compare to the national average?

Cape Coral's median rent of $1,929/mo is $33 (2%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Florida, it ranks #208 out of 291 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,929/mo, rent takes ~30% of Cape Coral's median household income ($78,104/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cape Coral 30%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Cape Coral affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cape Coral, FL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Cape Coral.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google