Carmel vs Daytona Beach

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Carmel has the same purchasing power as $67,217 in Daytona Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Daytona Beach equals $83,684 in Carmel.

Living in Carmel vs Daytona Beach

Housing Costs

Carmel's housing index of 134 is higher Daytona Beach's 93, translating to median home prices of $478,000 vs $288,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Carmel compared to $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Carmel and 104 in Daytona Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Carmel 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 97 in Carmel and 101 in Daytona Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Carmel vs $404 in Daytona Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 89 in Carmel and 99 in Daytona Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $141,500 in Carmel and $52,100 in Daytona Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $133,491 and $54,842 respectively. Carmel residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,302/month to housing in Carmel vs $1,216/month in Daytona Beach. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases