Daytona Beach vs Jackson
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Daytona Beach
Jackson
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.9%, with Jackson being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to $64,737 in Jackson.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has the same purchasing power as $64,737 in Jackson.
Conversely, $75,000 in Jackson equals $86,890 in Daytona Beach.
Living in Daytona Beach vs Jackson
Housing Costs
Daytona Beach's housing index of 93 is higher Jackson's 56, translating to median home prices of $288,000 vs $125,000. The $163,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,596 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach compared to $900/mo in Jackson, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Daytona Beach and 95 in Jackson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Daytona Beach vs $451/month in Jackson. Jackson offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Daytona Beach and 86 in Jackson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Daytona Beach vs $344 in Jackson. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 99 in Daytona Beach and 88 in Jackson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,100 in Daytona Beach and $36,528 in Jackson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,842 and $44,546 respectively. Daytona Beach residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Daytona Beach vs $852/month in Jackson. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Jackson, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases