Philadelphia vs Cape Coral: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania compare to Cape Coral, Florida? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Philadelphia is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 29% lower in Philadelphia compared to Cape Coral, while rent is 23% lower. FL has no state income tax.
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Cape Coral, FL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $215,500 | $302,400 | -28.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $1,630 | -23.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $57,537 | $72,474 | -20.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $35,553 | $37,621 | -5.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 3.1% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.3% | 7.0% | -9.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 1,593,208 | 198,912 | +701.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Philadelphia
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Cape Coral
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Philadelphia costs $215,500 compared to $302,400 in Cape Coral — a 29% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,250/mo in Philadelphia vs $1,630/mo in Cape Coral.
- Income: Median household income is $57,537 in Philadelphia and $72,474 in Cape Coral.
- Taxes: Florida has no state income tax, while Pennsylvania has a 3.07% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).