Cape Coral, FL vs Boulder, CO: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Boulder, CO is 2.8% more expensive than Cape Coral, FL (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Cape Coral works out to about $77,100 in Boulder, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 25.5% more in Boulder. Goods are 0.2% lower and other services 1.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,196 a month in Boulder and $1,827 in Cape Coral, $4,428 a year more in Boulder (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $707,000 in Boulder and $334,000 in Cape Coral.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Boulder was 7.8% more expensive than Cape Coral.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 25.5% higher in Boulder than in Cape Coral
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
All items Cape Coral, FL: 102.3 Boulder, CO: 105.2
Goods Cape Coral, FL: 96.2 Boulder, CO: 96.1
Housing (rents) Cape Coral, FL: 125.1 Boulder, CO: 157.0
Utilities Cape Coral, FL: 86.9 Boulder, CO: 82.7
Other services Cape Coral, FL: 98.9 Boulder, CO: 99.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.3 | 105.2 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 157.0 |
| Utilities | 86.9 | 82.7 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.8 |
| Category | Cape Coral | Boulder | Boulder vs Cape Coral |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 102.3 | 105.2 | +2.8% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.1 | −0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 157.0 | +25.5% |
| Utilities | 86.9 | 82.7 | −4.8% |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.8 | +1.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,827 | $2,196 | +20.2% |
| Typical home value | $334,000 | $707,000 | +111.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Cape Coral | $75,000 | $77,100 | +2.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Cape Coral and Boulder has narrowed since 2008: 8.6 points then, 2.9 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.9 | 108.5 |
| 2009 | 97.0 | 105.6 |
| 2010 | 97.4 | 104.5 |
| 2011 | 97.7 | 107.1 |
| 2012 | 97.9 | 107.5 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 105.8 |
| 2014 | 98.6 | 106.3 |
| 2015 | 99.1 | 106.8 |
| 2016 | 101.0 | 105.6 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 105.3 |
| 2018 | 99.2 | 101.7 |
| 2019 | 97.8 | 105.5 |
| 2020 | 98.1 | 101.7 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 100.9 |
| 2022 | 101.8 | 99.9 |
| 2023 | 103.1 | 100.6 |
| 2024 | 102.3 | 105.2 |
Goods
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.7 | 108.1 |
| 2009 | 95.7 | 103.0 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 103.0 |
| 2011 | 97.0 | 103.3 |
| 2012 | 97.4 | 102.9 |
| 2013 | 97.2 | 103.1 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 101.8 |
| 2015 | 97.0 | 100.3 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 100.4 |
| 2017 | 97.4 | 99.1 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 96.0 |
| 2019 | 95.3 | 99.2 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 96.1 |
| 2021 | 95.7 | 96.3 |
| 2022 | 95.0 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 96.3 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.1 |
Housing (rents)
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.5 | 145.7 |
| 2009 | 96.9 | 139.7 |
| 2010 | 93.9 | 144.5 |
| 2011 | 92.2 | 151.0 |
| 2012 | 93.3 | 145.8 |
| 2013 | 96.3 | 135.8 |
| 2014 | 96.2 | 149.0 |
| 2015 | 98.3 | 159.2 |
| 2016 | 106.4 | 151.5 |
| 2017 | 101.5 | 157.9 |
| 2018 | 109.4 | 151.8 |
| 2019 | 108.9 | 170.6 |
| 2020 | 110.6 | 146.5 |
| 2021 | 111.6 | 166.3 |
| 2022 | 123.2 | 150.3 |
| 2023 | 126.8 | 148.6 |
| 2024 | 125.1 | 157.0 |
Utilities
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.1 | 78.8 |
| 2009 | 96.7 | 78.7 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 81.5 |
| 2011 | 93.3 | 90.3 |
| 2012 | 91.1 | 81.5 |
| 2013 | 89.5 | 79.1 |
| 2014 | 93.3 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 90.7 | 86.6 |
| 2016 | 85.6 | 87.6 |
| 2017 | 83.4 | 84.2 |
| 2018 | 86.4 | 80.6 |
| 2019 | 88.2 | 84.5 |
| 2020 | 84.9 | 83.8 |
| 2021 | 84.7 | 79.0 |
| 2022 | 90.0 | 84.5 |
| 2023 | 90.7 | 78.8 |
| 2024 | 86.9 | 82.7 |
Other services
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.2 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 98.0 | 100.2 |
| 2010 | 99.4 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 100.9 | 99.8 |
| 2012 | 100.6 | 102.1 |
| 2013 | 99.7 | 101.3 |
| 2014 | 100.5 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 101.4 | 99.9 |
| 2016 | 102.2 | 99.0 |
| 2017 | 100.9 | 98.2 |
| 2018 | 98.8 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 96.0 | 94.7 |
| 2021 | 99.7 | 91.1 |
| 2022 | 99.9 | 91.6 |
| 2023 | 99.8 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 98.9 | 99.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,196 in Boulder vs $1,827 in Cape Coral
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $984 | $1,357 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,022 | $1,400 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,050 | $1,444 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,079 | $1,425 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,084 | $1,464 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,099 | $1,479 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,116 | $1,472 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,126 | $1,448 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,147 | $1,513 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,150 | $1,534 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,162 | $1,537 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,183 | $1,543 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,202 | $1,561 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,196 | $1,599 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,218 | $1,612 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,224 | $1,602 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,234 | $1,634 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,245 | $1,658 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,250 | $1,655 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,268 | $1,669 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,277 | $1,686 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,277 | $1,676 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,330 | $1,698 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,364 | $1,687 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,389 | $1,738 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,473 | $1,806 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,628 | $1,874 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,738 | $1,873 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,776 | $1,948 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,859 | $1,993 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,885 | $2,010 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,001 | $1,989 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,009 | $2,025 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,966 | $2,080 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,955 | $2,094 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,959 | $2,079 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,944 | $2,095 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,912 | $2,154 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,908 | $2,154 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,906 | $2,152 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,892 | $2,143 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,863 | $2,191 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,829 | $2,142 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,812 | $2,130 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,807 | $2,166 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,832 | $2,216 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,827 | $2,196 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $707,000 in Boulder vs $334,000 in Cape Coral
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Cape Coral, FL
- Boulder, CO
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Cape Coral, FL | Boulder, CO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $187K | $391K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $192K | $402K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $199K | $416K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $207K | $432K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $212K | $448K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $216K | $463K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $220K | $472K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $223K | $481K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $226K | $493K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $227K | $503K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $228K | $506K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $231K | $512K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $232K | $515K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $233K | $522K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $235K | $527K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $238K | $532K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $238K | $536K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $238K | $538K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $238K | $542K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $240K | $548K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $244K | $560K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $243K | $562K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $248K | $566K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $258K | $586K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $269K | $609K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $290K | $650K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $316K | $670K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $337K | $681K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $366K | $728K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $402K | $778K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $411K | $759K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $405K | $743K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $399K | $731K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $404K | $726K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $405K | $731K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $403K | $733K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $400K | $734K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $395K | $734K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $387K | $731K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $380K | $735K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $372K | $733K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $359K | $717K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $347K | $710K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $341K | $714K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $339K | $710K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $336K | $703K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $334K | $707K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.