Florida ยท SouthAffordable CityUpdated May 2026

Cost of Living in Daytona Beach, FL

Detailed cost data for 62 topics across 6 categories โ€” from rent and groceries to business startup costs and professional salaries.

Cost Index
94
6% below national average
100 = national baseline
79K
Population
$52K
Median Income
$1,328/mo
Avg Rent (1BR)
$3,814/mo
Living Cost (Single)

Direct Answer

Daytona Beach, FL has a CostOfCity index of 94, which is 6% below the national baseline. Average modeled rent is $1,328/month and the single-adult living cost estimate is $3,814/month.

Cost index
94
Affordable City; 100 is national baseline
Population
79K
Official population benchmark
Median income
$52K
Official household income benchmark
Priority pages
9
Rent, salary, budget, vehicle, retirement, and comparisons
โœ๏ธ Reviewed by Sarah Chen, Senior Cost-of-Living Analyst๐Ÿ“… Last verified: May 2026
BLSCensusHUD

How to Use This City Page

Start with rent and monthly budget, then compare salary-needed before making a relocation decision.
Use the cost index as a directional signal; neighborhood rent and commute costs can change the answer materially.
Review cheaper alternatives and nearby city comparisons if Daytona Beach is above your target budget.
Use official/hybrid/model labels and the methodology page to understand where each estimate comes from.

Cost of Living in Daytona Beach: The Full Picture

How does Daytona Beach compare to the rest of America? With a population of 73,000 and an economy built on a distribution-center economy where warehouse jobs and last-mile logistics keep employment steady, this FL smaller city has a cost profile that's distinctly its own. A warm-weather lifestyle that includes year-round outdoor activities, from fishing to football tailgates. The 62 categories below translate these broad dynamics into specific dollar figures you can plan around.

B+
Overall
B+
Housing
B
Food
B+
Healthcare
B
Transport
B+
Utilities
๐Ÿ’ผ Economy

Daytona Beach has a university-anchored economy where research parks and student spending stabilize local markets

๐Ÿ  Housing

The housing market features a balanced market where patient buyers find deals and sellers price realistically

๐ŸŒค๏ธ Climate & Lifestyle

The subtropical climate keeps construction crews working year-round, which helps with scheduling but doesn't reduce labor costs.. The lifestyle here is characterized by A warm-weather lifestyle that includes year-round outdoor activities, from fishing to football tailgates..

๐Ÿ’ก The Bottom Line

Good news for your wallet: Daytona Beach's cost index of 94 means you'll pay 6% less than the national average. That kind of savings compounds across every monthly expense.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Purchasing Power in Daytona Beach

$50K salary
โ‰ˆ $53K
+$3K real value
$75K salary
โ‰ˆ $80K
+$5K real value
$100K salary
โ‰ˆ $106K
+$6K real value
$150K salary
โ‰ˆ $160K
+$10K real value

Purchasing power adjusted to national average baseline. In Daytona Beach, your dollar buys 6% more than the national average.

Monthly Living Expenses in Daytona Beach

What it actually costs to live in Daytona Beach each month โ€” from tight budgets to comfortable lifestyles.

LifestyleSingle PersonCoupleFamily of 4
๐ŸŸกTight / Frugal$2,050/mo$3,550/mo$4,700/mo
๐ŸŸขComfortable$3,300/mo$5,450/mo$7,050/mo
๐ŸŸฃGenerous$5,150/mo$8,450/mo$11,300/mo

Estimates include housing, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, and discretionary spending. Based on Daytona Beach's cost index of 94 applied to national spending surveys.

๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Neighborhood Cost Variation

Within Daytona Beach, costs can vary by 25-40% depending on the neighborhood. Downtown and waterfront areas typically command the highest premiums, while suburbs provide genuine savings, often 15-20% below the metro average.

Daytona Beach vs U.S. Average Cost of Living

Category-by-category affordability grades โ€” based on deviation from the national average.

Grades: A+/A = very affordable ยท B = average ยท C/D = expensive ยท For salaries, higher = better

๐Ÿ  Home Services in Daytona Beach

What contractors charge for the most common repairs, installations, and remodels

๐Ÿ’ผ Business Startup Costs in Daytona Beach

Full startup cost breakdowns โ€” from lease deposits to working capital

๐Ÿ“Š Cost of Living in Daytona Beach

Monthly expenses for housing, food, transportation, and everyday necessities

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Insurance in Daytona Beach

Annual and monthly premium estimates for major insurance categories

๐Ÿ’ฐ Salaries & Jobs in Daytona Beach

Annual compensation by experience level, role, and specialization

How Much Income Do You Need in Daytona Beach?

โœ… Best For

  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Families seeking work-life balance
  • Small business founders
  • First-time homebuyers

โš ๏ธ Not Ideal For

  • Workers in niche industries with few local employers
  • Those seeking big-city nightlife
๐Ÿ’ฌ Expert Tip

Before moving to Daytona Beach, compare your target salary against local costs using our calculator. You may be pleasantly surprised by how far your income goes.

How Does Daytona Beach Compare?

Pick a nearby city and see the full cost comparison across all 62 topics.

CostOfCity Value Index

F
Daytona Beach Value Score: 17/100
Expensive
Affordability Ratio
3.13x
Stretched
Savings Potential
25%
of median income
Value Score
0/100
income-adjusted
Growth Risk
66/100
Costs rising fast

The CostOfCity Value Index combines cost-of-living data with median income, savings potential, and cost growth trends to produce a single score. Higher = better value for your money. Updated quarterly.

๐Ÿ“ฆ

Free Relocation Blueprint

Your complete moving budget for Daytona Beach, FL

Monthly Budget
$2,663
Moving Costs
$2,000 โ€“ $4,500
Deposits Est.
$3,320
Cost Index
94
Median Income
$52K
Population
79K

Get a personalized PDF with first-month costs, 12-month cash projection, neighborhood tips, and a moving checklist โ€” tailored to your household size and origin city.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Daytona Beach

What are the most expensive cost categories in Daytona Beach?

Like most US cities, housing is the single largest expense in Daytona Beach, typically accounting for 30-40% of household budgets. Insurance and home services tend to be the next most variable categories, influenced by southern climate conditions and state regulations.

What is the median household income in Daytona Beach?

The median household income in Daytona Beach is approximately $35,000 per year. Adjusted for local cost of living (index: 94), this goes further than in many US cities.

How does Daytona Beach compare to other cities in FL?

Within Florida, Daytona Beach has a cost index of 94. Nearby options include Orlando and Gainesville, which offer useful comparison points.

Explore Daytona Beach in Depth

๐Ÿ  Living Alone
Solo budget breakdown for Daytona Beach
๐Ÿ’ฐ Salary Needed
Minimum salary to live in Daytona Beach
๐Ÿ“Š Can I Afford It?
Budget check for Daytona Beach
๐Ÿ“‹ Monthly Budget
Full monthly breakdown
๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Florida Overview
Compare all cities in Florida

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