Coming off Hurricane Ian and subsequent violent tropical weather, Southwest Florida’s Cape Coral has emerged nationally as one of the dozen toughest cities to survive for renters, based on new 2026 data.
As part of the whammy, the Cape has among America’s fewest professional job opportunities and the worst in Florida this year. In 2026, it’s also the biggest city in a metro that ranked dead last in the United States for employment in STEM ―Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The city is trying to get at these a little bit. In one effort, it last year completed the purchase of Ian-ravaged properties as part of a “Live, Work, Play” redevelopment goal In the Know has been reporting on to transform South Cape.
While that may help in the future ― and we’ll be writing more in coming weeks ― the challenge right now for residents balancing housing expenses has been the past year’s economic slide that has led to record prices for household and other goods. Going into 2026, Cape Coral was among 9% of the nation’s largest cities with the least sustainable credit card debt, and that research by the WalletHub analytic company came prior to the sudden Iran invasion, which resulted in the massive escalation of gas prices.
Here’s what to know in the latest of a series of columns on renting and real estate in Southwest Florida.
What are the toughest U.S. places for renters to afford to live?
‘In the most affordable cities, rent cost as low as 15% of income’
Making it harder to pay the rent has long-term consequences for Cape Coral residents.
“In the most affordable cities for renters, the median cost of rent is as low as 15% of the median income,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo. “This gives people (a) clear financial advantage; the money they save on rent could go toward their emergency fund or savings for future home ownership.”
What efforts could help Cape Coral tackle housing challenges?
A renter-friendly city is evident in affordability, availability and stability, according to Andrew Burnstine, associate professor in the College of Business and Management at Boca Raton’s Lynn University.
“Strong tenant protections, reliable property management and access to jobs and transportation complete the picture,” Burnstien said. “In the cities where those factors align, renting feels predictable rather than precarious.”
What’s Cape Coral, Florida ranking on professional opportunities?
What are college grads looking for now in moving to cities?
Not having sufficient better-paying professional jobs can affect bringing in the next generation of new workers to Cape Coral in the form of college students wrapping up as graduations kicked into high gear this month.
“Some of the biggest issues I hear (the) students discussing as they consider where to live after graduation are the cost-of-living crisis and the availability of well-paying jobs,” said Matthew T. Hora, founding director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions. “Without more affordable housing and stabilizing expenses in other areas, the main solution seems to be higher wages, which is definitely within the control of employing organizations.”
How can Cape Coral provide ‘stealth raise’ to its Florida workers?
The South Cape revitalization aim of the Bimini Basin area successfully tying into the more traditional downtown corridor off Cape Coral Parkway could open some doors, as In the Know has reported.
“To win the war for young talent, cities must shift (to) creating ‘human-centric’ infrastructure,” Burnstine said. “According to WalletHub’s 2026 data, cities like Scottsdale and Austin lead the pack not just for job volume, but for ‘economic environment’ scores that factor in monthly starting salaries. Policymakers should prioritize mixed-use zoning that allows graduates to live within walking distance of work, effectively providing a ‘stealth raise’ by eliminating the need for a car.”
As hurricanes escalate, what role does climate change play?
Having the kind of entertainment that has been on the increase in the South Cape region after Ian’s 2022 setback could play a role.
Draws to areas include “a lively cultural scene, decent access to nature, and limited pollution, with growing numbers of students also thinking about the future impacts of climate change on an area,” Hora said. “That concern remains small as most graduates are focused on the next three to five years of their lives and not the next 50 years.”
Cape Coral can learn STEM from the capital of Disney World
However, the ability to grow STEM in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida would be a game changer in a tourism-dominated Southwest Florida. And while the Sunshine State is no Silicon Valley, Orlando is an example of where you can diversify a Mickey Mouse economy. It’s now risen to the 10th best metro in the United States for STEM.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis, STEM professions are expected to grow 8.1% between 2024 and 2034, compared to just 2.7% for all other occupations. In addition, the median annual STEM wage is $103,580, compared to $48,000 for all non-STEM occupations.
What are the best 10 metros for STEM jobs in the United States?
What kinds of opportunities do STEM companies provide?
Given their growing demand, STEM careers today provide some of the most lucrative employment opportunities. They pay higher salaries and boast far fewer threats of unemployment compared with other types of jobs.
“Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs tend to have high salaries, and job opportunities grow at three times the rate of non-STEM jobs,” WalletHub’s Lupo said. “We can only expect this to accelerate in the future as new technologies continue to change the employment landscape. The top metro areas for STEM professionals have high-quality schools, an abundance of jobs and high pay. They’re also great places to live.”
What is path for Cape Coral to get at least piece of the STEM pie?
There is a path for Cape Coral and Southwest Florida to get tied to STEM more, just simply based on the needs that exist locally.
“What many people don’t know is that many of these jobs don’t require a four-year degree,” said Remy Dou, formerly part of Florida International University’s STEM Transformation Institute and now University of Miami professor. “Several studies suggest that before the end of this decade, the U.S. may face a shortage of hundreds of thousands of plumbers, electricians and other skilled workers. These jobs require professionals with STEM skills ― jobs in construction, agriculture, production, business and education.”
What are the worst metros for STEM jobs in America in 2026?
Writing In the Know for the USA TODAY Network, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. Sign up for our free Breaking Ground growth and development newsletter. Subscribe to our News-Press and Naples Daily News apps.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Cape Coral among worst for renters, jobs, but there is a path forward
Reporting by Phil Fernandez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
