City Comparison

Birmingham vs Daytona Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Birmingham

Alabama
87
Below Average
$165,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$38,178
Median Income

Daytona Beach

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

The Verdict

8.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.4%, with Birmingham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to $81,897 in Daytona Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Birmingham
93
Daytona Beach
Groceries
96
Birmingham
104
Daytona Beach
Utilities
92
Birmingham
101
Daytona Beach
Transportation
99
Birmingham
102
Daytona Beach
Healthcare
91
Birmingham
99
Daytona Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $81,897 in Daytona Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Daytona Beach equals $68,684 in Birmingham.

Living in Birmingham vs Daytona Beach

Housing Costs

Birmingham's housing index of 67 is lower Daytona Beach's 93, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $288,000. The $123,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,992 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 104 in Daytona Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $494/month in Daytona Beach. Birmingham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 101 in Daytona Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $404 in Daytona Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham 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 $38,178 in Birmingham and $52,100 in Daytona Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $54,842 respectively. Daytona Beach residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $1,216/month in Daytona Beach. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Birmingham is 8.4% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,897 in Daytona Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Birmingham's housing index is 67 with median homes at $165,000, while Daytona Beach's is 93 with median homes at $288,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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