A new WalletHub study ranked Cape Coral No. 11 among the nation’s best cities for first-time homebuyers, citing its strong real estate market and housing inventory.
Sotheby’s International Realty
Cape Coral ranked 11th among 300 U.S. cities in WalletHub’s 2026 list of the best places for first-time homebuyers. The city placed seventh among midsize cities and ranked sixth nationally for real estate market conditions, though it was 139th for affordability and 55th for quality of life. WalletHub evaluated cities using 22 measures covering housing costs, market activity and livability, including home prices, property taxes, listings, building permits, crime, schools and employment. Palm Bay topped the overall ranking, followed by Surprise and Gilbert, Arizona. Other Florida cities in the top 25 included Tampa, Orlando, Boca Raton and Lakeland. The study used data collected through June 16.