Median rent is 9% lower in Daytona Beach ($1,328/mo vs $1,465/mo). Buying is cheaper in Daytona Beach, where the median home runs $287,700 versus $293,700. Households earn more in Jacksonville ($69,872 vs $52,058 a year). Taken together, Daytona Beach is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.1 against 99.6 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Jacksonville, FL.
Quick verdict
Daytona Beach is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 99.1 in Daytona Beach vs 99.6 in Jacksonville (US average = 100)
City A
Daytona Beach, FL
City B
Jacksonville, FL
How much would you need to earn in Jacksonville, FL to maintain your standard of living from Daytona Beach, FL?
Equivalent salary in Jacksonville, FL
$75,381
You'd need $381 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Daytona Beach
Florida
Jacksonville
Florida
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Daytona Beach at $1,328/mo compared to $1,465/mo in Jacksonville (9% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $287,700 in Daytona Beach and $293,700 in Jacksonville.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Jacksonville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Jacksonville (avg AQI 51.0) but not yet for Daytona Beach.
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize higher median household income ($69,872/yr).
Is Daytona Beach cheaper than Jacksonville?
Daytona Beach is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.1 versus 99.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Daytona Beach.
How much is rent in Daytona Beach vs Jacksonville?
Median rent is $1,328/mo in Daytona Beach, FL and $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL. Daytona Beach, FL has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?
Median household income is $52,058 in Daytona Beach, FL and $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville, FL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Daytona Beach or Jacksonville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Jacksonville to match my Daytona Beach income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Daytona Beach, FL is equivalent to roughly $100,507 in Jacksonville, FL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
