Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Relocating between Miami Gardens, FL and Cape Coral, 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
| Miami Gardens | Cape Coral | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 102.349 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 86.901 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 125.113 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Cape Coral at 102.349 vs Miami Gardens at 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $469,434 to $338,302 moving to Cape Coral.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Cape Coral -8.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 54Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 57.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Miami Gardens (76.0Β°F) and Cape Coral (75.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 206,387 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $76,062 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 48.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.3% β $60,979 β $76,062 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Cape Coral average 92Β°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 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 Miami Gardens vs Cape Coral?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,062 in Cape Coral vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 24.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cape Coral more expensive than Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cape Coral is 10.3% lower than Miami Gardens (102.349 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Cape Coral compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens MSA, on total employment of 290,450 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cape Coral, FL from Miami Gardens, 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.
How much do homes cost in Cape Coral compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $338,302 in Cape Coral vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 27.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Cape Coral?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Cape Coral, FL.