City Comparison

Arlington vs Daytona Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Daytona Beach

Florida
95
Below Average
$288,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$52,100
Median Income

The Verdict

72.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 72.6%, with Daytona Beach being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $43,445 in Daytona Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Arlington
93
Daytona Beach
Groceries
106
Arlington
104
Daytona Beach
Utilities
102
Arlington
101
Daytona Beach
Transportation
107
Arlington
102
Daytona Beach
Healthcare
117
Arlington
99
Daytona Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $43,445 in Daytona Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Daytona Beach equals $129,474 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Daytona Beach

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Daytona Beach's 93, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $288,000. The $452,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 104 in Daytona Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $494/month in Daytona Beach. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 101 in Daytona Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $404 in Daytona Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 99 in Daytona Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $52,100 in Daytona Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $54,842 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,216/month in Daytona Beach. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 156 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Daytona Beach is 72.6% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $43,445 in Daytona Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Daytona Beach's is 93 with median homes at $288,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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