City Comparison

Daytona Beach vs Lowell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Daytona Beach

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

Lowell

Massachusetts
131
Expensive
$429,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$79,700
Median Income

The Verdict

27.5%

Living in Daytona Beach costs 27.5% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach, you would need $103,421 in Lowell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Daytona Beach
152
Lowell
Groceries
104
Daytona Beach
104
Lowell
Utilities
101
Daytona Beach
151
Lowell
Transportation
102
Daytona Beach
108
Lowell
Healthcare
99
Daytona Beach
118
Lowell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has the same purchasing power as $103,421 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $54,389 in Daytona Beach.

Living in Daytona Beach vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Daytona Beach's housing index of 93 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $288,000 vs $429,000. The $141,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,168 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Daytona Beach and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Daytona Beach vs $494/month in Lowell. 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 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Daytona Beach vs $604 in Lowell. 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 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,842 and $60,840 respectively. Lowell 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 $1,860/month in Lowell. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Daytona Beach is 27.5% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,421 in Lowell, based on the cost of living difference.
Daytona Beach's housing index is 93 with median homes at $288,000, while Lowell's is 152 with median homes at $429,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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