Moving from Orlando, FL to Cape Coral, FL
The 160 mi from Orlando to Cape Coral translate to about 3h 45m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
160 mi · 3h 45m by car · FL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 17, FL 417 TOLL, CR 765 |
| Major cities en route | Lakeland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Orlando | Cape Coral | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.418 | 102.349 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.196 | 86.901 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.374 | 125.113 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Cape Coral and Orlando is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Cape Coral is 0.9% below Orlando ($338,302 vs $374,136 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Orlando -3.5%, Cape Coral -8.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Orlando | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 50°F | 54°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 51.5" | 57.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Orlando (73.0°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: ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US, FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Orlando | Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,732 | 206,387 |
| Median household income | $69,268 | $76,062 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 48.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.6 |
Income steps up 0.9%: $69,268 in Orlando vs $76,062 in Cape Coral.
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
How much do homes cost in Cape Coral compared to Orlando?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $338,302 in Cape Coral vs $374,136 in Orlando — a 9.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cape Coral compare to Orlando?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA vs $43,120 in the Orlando MSA, on total employment of 290,450 and 1,366,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Cape Coral, FL from Orlando, FL?
The driving distance is 160 mi and the route typically takes 3h 45m via US 17 and FL 417 TOLL. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cape Coral more expensive than Orlando?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cape Coral is 0.9% higher than Orlando (102.349 vs 101.418, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Orlando vs Cape Coral?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,062 in Cape Coral vs $69,268 in Orlando — a 9.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Orlando 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 160 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Orlando.
City profiles: Orlando, FL · Cape Coral, FL.