Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Cape Coral, FL
Relocating between West Palm Beach, FL and Cape Coral, FL is a 133 mi drive β 3h 13m 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.
133 mi Β· 3h 13m by car Β· FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | SR 80, US 98, US 441 |
| Major cities en route | Coral Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.3% moving from West Palm Beach to Cape Coral β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Cape Coral run about 10.3% cheaper β ZHVI $399,471 β $338,302 (2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Cape Coral -8.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 75Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 54Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 57.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 75.8Β°F vs 75.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 206,387 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $76,062 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 48.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.3% higher in Cape Coral than West Palm Beach.
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
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach 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 133 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Cape Coral more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cape Coral is 10.3% lower than West Palm Beach (102.349 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Cape Coral?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,062 in Cape Coral vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 9.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Cape Coral compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach 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 much do homes cost in Cape Coral compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $338,302 in Cape Coral vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 15.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Cape Coral, FL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 133 mi and the route typically takes 3h 13m via SR 80 and US 98. 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Cape Coral, FL.