City Comparison

Daytona Beach vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Daytona Beach

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

New Bedford

Massachusetts
112
Above Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$57,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Daytona Beach being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to $88,421 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
93
Daytona Beach
116
New Bedford
Groceries
104
Daytona Beach
104
New Bedford
Utilities
101
Daytona Beach
145
New Bedford
Transportation
102
Daytona Beach
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
99
Daytona Beach
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has the same purchasing power as $88,421 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $63,616 in Daytona Beach.

Living in Daytona Beach vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Daytona Beach's housing index of 93 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $288,000 vs $371,000. The $83,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Daytona Beach compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Daytona Beach and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Daytona Beach vs $494/month in New Bedford. 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 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Daytona Beach vs $580 in New Bedford. 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 New Bedford. 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 $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,842 and $50,893 respectively. Daytona Beach residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,216/month to housing in Daytona Beach vs $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Daytona Beach, median rent of $1,350/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Daytona Beach is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Daytona Beach has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,421 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Daytona Beach's housing index is 93 with median homes at $288,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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