City Comparison

Augusta vs Daytona Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Augusta

Maine
89
Below Average
$250,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$56,200
Median Income

Daytona Beach

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

The Verdict

6.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.3%, with Augusta being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to $80,056 in Daytona Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Augusta
93
Daytona Beach
Groceries
99
Augusta
104
Daytona Beach
Utilities
108
Augusta
101
Daytona Beach
Transportation
102
Augusta
102
Daytona Beach
Healthcare
114
Augusta
99
Daytona Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Augusta has the same purchasing power as $80,056 in Daytona Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Daytona Beach equals $70,263 in Augusta.

Living in Augusta vs Daytona Beach

Housing Costs

Augusta's housing index of 72 is lower Daytona Beach's 93, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $288,000. The $38,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,472 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Augusta compared to $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Augusta and 104 in Daytona Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Augusta 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 108 in Augusta and 101 in Daytona Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $432 in Augusta vs $404 in Daytona Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 114 in Augusta and 99 in Daytona Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,200 in Augusta and $52,100 in Daytona Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,146 and $54,842 respectively. Augusta residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,311/month to housing in Augusta vs $1,216/month in Daytona Beach. In Augusta, median rent of $950/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 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta is 6.3% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Augusta has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,056 in Daytona Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Augusta's housing index is 72 with median homes at $250,000, while Daytona Beach's is 93 with median homes at $288,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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