Boston vs Cape Coral: cost of living compared
Cape Coral is 35% cheaper than Boston overall. Cape Coral (FL) has no state income tax; MA tops out around 5%.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving from Boston to Cape Coral represents a substantial shift in the cost of living. Boston is considerably more expensive across nearly all categories, with its overall expenses well above the national average. Cape Coral, by contrast, is much closer to the national average. The most significant difference driving this gap is housing, which is dramatically more costly in Boston compared to Cape Coral.
Housing
Housing costs in Boston are substantially higher, whether you are looking to buy a home or rent an apartment. Median home prices are significantly greater, and typical one-bedroom rents are much steeper. Beyond the mortgage, Florida homeowners should factor in potentially higher homeowners insurance premiums, flood insurance, and property taxes that reset upon sale. Many newer communities in Cape Coral also include homeowner association or community development district fees.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses also differ notably. Boston has a state income tax, which is absent in Florida. Transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all more expensive in Boston. While utilities in Cape Coral are above the national average, they are still considerably less than in Boston. This means a move south would likely result in noticeable savings on routine spending.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, the metros offer distinct lifestyles. Boston experiences four distinct seasons, with a dense urban core and extensive public transit. Cape Coral offers a warm, subtropical climate year-round, with a more car-dependent environment and a generally more relaxed pace. Florida's hurricane season, running through summer and fall, is a significant weather consideration not typically faced in Boston.
Bottom line
For households considering a move from Boston to Cape Coral, the financial implications are substantial. The most impactful change will be in housing, where Cape Coral offers a much more affordable market for both buyers and renters. Combined with the absence of a state income tax and lower costs for most everyday necessities, a move to Cape Coral generally translates to a significantly lower overall household budget, despite some unique Florida-specific ownership costs.
| Measure | Boston, MA | Cape Coral, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 162 | 105 |
| Housing index | 194 | 105 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 101 |
| Food index | 115 | 97 |
| Healthcare index | 118 | 98 |
| Utilities index | 135 | 110 |
| Misc index | 122 | 92 |
| Median home price | $698,000 | $368,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,850/mo | $1,600/mo |
| Average commute | 32 min | 28 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Cape Coral home with the True Cost Calculator.