Athens vs Daytona Beach
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Athens
Daytona Beach
The Verdict
Living in Athens costs 7.4% less than Daytona Beach. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Athens, you would need $80,966 in Daytona Beach.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $80,966 in Daytona Beach.
Conversely, $75,000 in Daytona Beach equals $69,474 in Athens.
Living in Athens vs Daytona Beach
Housing Costs
Athens's housing index of 78 is lower Daytona Beach's 93, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $288,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 104 in Daytona Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens 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 101 in Athens and 101 in Daytona Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens vs $404 in Daytona Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Athens and 99 in Daytona Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,700 in Athens and $52,100 in Daytona Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 and $54,842 respectively. Athens residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,216/month in Daytona Beach. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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