Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Cape Coral to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has a higher median household income ($81,332 vs $78,104) and lower median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,858) than Cape Coral, but Cape Coral has a lower median home value ($373,500 vs $420,700). Phoenix benefits from a shorter commute (28 vs 32 minutes) and includes a modeled state income tax of 2.50% in calculations, while Cape Coral’s tax is excluded due to lack of approved reference. These factors create a trade-off where Phoenix offers better income-to-rent ratio and commute, but Cape Coral has lower home prices, with tax treatment affecting net affordability differently in each city.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → Cape CoralMoving from Cape Coral to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$276/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$3,312/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
-4 min / day
Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTCAP → PHX
68/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$12,896after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $3,312 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Cape Coral household income$78,104
Phoenix household income$81,332
Cape Coral gross rent$1,858
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Cape Coral | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 215,536 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $78,104 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,858 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $373,500 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 32 minutes in Cape Coral and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median home value
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment
- Uniform non-housing baseline
What each city wins
Cape Coral
Median rent consumes ~28.5% of median income.. Watch lower home values may offset higher rent burdens for owners..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has a more favorable rent-to-income ratio based on 2024 ACS data?
Phoenix has a more favorable rent-to-income ratio, with median gross rent at 23.3% of median household income, compared to Cape Coral’s 28.5%, indicating relatively lower housing cost burden in Phoenix.
How does the inclusion of state income tax affect the comparison between the two cities?
Phoenix includes a modeled 2.50% state income tax in calculations, reducing disposable income, while Cape Coral’s tax is excluded due to no approved reference, making direct after-tax comparisons uncertain without personal tax liability details.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.