City Comparison

Daytona Beach vs Morgantown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Daytona Beach

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

Morgantown

West Virginia
90
Below Average
$259,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$44,700
Median Income

The Verdict

5.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.6%, with Morgantown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to $71,053 in Morgantown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Daytona Beach
81
Morgantown
Groceries
104
Daytona Beach
95
Morgantown
Utilities
101
Daytona Beach
91
Morgantown
Transportation
102
Daytona Beach
99
Morgantown
Healthcare
99
Daytona Beach
88
Morgantown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has the same purchasing power as $71,053 in Morgantown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Morgantown equals $79,167 in Daytona Beach.

Living in Daytona Beach vs Morgantown

Housing Costs

Daytona Beach's housing index of 93 is higher Morgantown's 81, translating to median home prices of $288,000 vs $259,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach compared to $950/mo in Morgantown, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Daytona Beach and 95 in Morgantown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Daytona Beach vs $451/month in Morgantown. Morgantown 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 91 in Morgantown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Daytona Beach vs $364 in Morgantown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 99 in Daytona Beach and 88 in Morgantown. 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 $44,700 in Morgantown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,842 and $49,667 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 $1,043/month in Morgantown. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Morgantown, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Morgantown is 5.6% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,053 in Morgantown, based on the cost of living difference.
Daytona Beach's housing index is 93 with median homes at $288,000, while Morgantown's is 81 with median homes at $259,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases