Moving from Clearwater, FL to Cape Coral, FL
It is a 131 mi drive, roughly 2h 43m, between Clearwater, FL and Cape Coral, FL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
131 mi · 2h 43m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, US 19, I 275 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Cape Coral | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 102.349 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 86.901 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 125.113 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.89 vs 102.349 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $339,488 vs $338,302.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Cape Coral -8.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clearwater | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 54°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 57.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Clearwater (73.9°F) and Cape Coral (75.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 206,387 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $76,062 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 48.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.6 |
Households in Cape Coral earn about 1.4% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cape Coral MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 37,470 | $40,320 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 34,020 | $35,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,420 | $29,800 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 27,370 | $47,070 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,980 | $37,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Cape Coral average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Cape Coral averages 57.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Cape Coral?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 131 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Cape Coral?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,062 in Cape Coral vs $64,440 in Clearwater — a 18.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cape Coral more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cape Coral is 1.4% higher than Clearwater (102.349 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Cape Coral, FL from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 131 mi and the route typically takes 2h 43m via I 75 and US 19. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Cape Coral compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $338,302 in Cape Coral vs $339,488 in Clearwater — a 0.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cape Coral compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 290,450 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL · Cape Coral, FL.