Moving from Cape Coral, FL to Miami Gardens, FL
Relocating between Cape Coral, FL and Miami Gardens, FL is a 153 mi drive β 2h 60m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
153 mi Β· 2h 60m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, CR 884, I 595 |
| Major cities en route | Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | Miami Gardens | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.5% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $338,302 to $469,434 moving to Miami Gardens.
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, Miami Gardens -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 68.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Cape Coral (75.4Β°F) and Miami Gardens (76.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | Miami Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 111,264 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $60,979 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 11.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.22 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.5% lower in Miami Gardens than Cape Coral.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miami Gardens MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Miami Gardens averages 68.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs Miami Gardens?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,979 in Miami Gardens vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 19.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Miami Gardens compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,434 in Miami Gardens vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 38.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Miami Gardens more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miami Gardens is 11.5% higher than Cape Coral (114.155 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Miami Gardens compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to Miami Gardens?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 153 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Miami Gardens, FL from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 153 mi and the route typically takes 2h 60m via I 75 and CR 884. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· Miami Gardens, FL.