NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

Metro Market Score 64.1 (Difficult), ranked #302 of 378 metros. 2,831 establishments, 42,882 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 64.1
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Difficult

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

💰High-Cost Market

Cape Coral-Fort Myers is a specialized hub for retail trade, with a location quotient of 1.43 and industry concentration in the bottom quartile. Higher-than-average firm density means more competition for talent and customers, but also a deeper local supply chain and client pool.

Industry Concentration
92.6
LQ: 1.43
Rank #350 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
81.2
$41,729 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 73.8
Employment growth index
Rank #100 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
63.7
YoY wage change index

2,831 Retail Trade Firms in Cape Coral-Fort Myers

2,831
Establishments
+0.2% YoY
42,882
Total Employment
+0.7% YoY
$41,729
Average Annual Wage
+0.4% YoY
1.43
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Cape Coral-Fort Myers vs Florida Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Florida overall. The state ranks #43/51 for entry risk.

Measure Cape Coral-Fort Myers FL Statewide
Overall Score 64.1 Difficult 51.0 Elevated
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #302 of 378 metros #43 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Cape Coral-Fort Myers

Healthcare and Social Assistance 31.8 Information 42.9 Finance and Insurance 45.6 Construction 46.4 Other Services 52.1 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 57.1 Accommodation and Food Services 60.2 Administrative and Support Services 67.1 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 68.8

Retail Trade in Other Florida Metros

Gainesville 24.8 #2/378 Tallahassee 38.1 #37/378 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville 47.7 #106/378 Jacksonville 48.1 #110/378 Homosassa Springs 49.6 #131/378 Panama City-Panama City Beach 50.1 #142/378 Sebring 50.6 #149/378 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford 52.0 #163/378 Wildwood-The Villages 52.1 #164/378 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent 54.0 #188/378

+ 11 more metros. View all in Florida →

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Cape Coral-Fort Myers's retail trade sector, the industry concentration component (92.6) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.