Median rent is 2% lower in Daytona Beach ($1,328/mo vs $1,361/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $287,700. Households earn more in Houston ($64,813 vs $52,058 a year). Taken together, Daytona Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.1 against 99.7 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Houston, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Daytona Beach is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.1 in Daytona Beach vs 99.7 in Houston (US national average = 100)
City A
Daytona Beach, FL
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Daytona Beach, FL?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$75,448
You'd need $448 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Daytona Beach
Florida
Houston
Texas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,328/mo in Daytona Beach and $1,361/mo in Houston. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $287,700 in Daytona Beach and $277,800 in Houston.
Metric
Daytona Beach
Houston
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Daytona Beach
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Houston (avg AQI 59.0) but not yet for Daytona Beach.
Pick Houston if you prioritize higher median household income ($64,813/yr).
Daytona Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.1 versus 99.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Daytona Beach.
Median rent is $1,328/mo in Daytona Beach, FL and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Daytona Beach, FL has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $52,058 in Daytona Beach, FL and $64,813 in Houston, TX. Houston, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Daytona Beach, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,597 in Houston, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
