Daytona Beach vs Midland
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Daytona Beach
Midland
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with Midland being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to $72,632 in Midland.
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 $72,632 in Midland.
Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $77,446 in Daytona Beach.
Living in Daytona Beach vs Midland
Housing Costs
Daytona Beach's housing index of 93 is higher Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $288,000 vs $269,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Daytona Beach and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Daytona Beach vs $456/month in Midland. Midland offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 101 in Daytona Beach and 99 in Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Daytona Beach vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 99 in Daytona Beach and 110 in Midland. 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 $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,842 and $97,391 respectively. Midland 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 $2,091/month in Midland. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases