Daytona Beach vs Lakewood

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 $105,000 in Lakewood.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $53,571 in Daytona Beach.

Living in Daytona Beach vs Lakewood

Housing Costs

Daytona Beach's housing index of 93 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $288,000 vs $574,000. The $286,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Daytona Beach and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Daytona Beach vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 Daytona Beach and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Daytona Beach vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. 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 $52,100 in Daytona Beach and $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,842 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Daytona Beach vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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