What it's like to live in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a smaller city in Florida with home prices that remain within reach, commutes that run shorter than most cities, air quality that stays clean most of the year, and a population that has grown fast since 2020. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Daytona Beach deals with unemployment above the national average, household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, and larger class sizes than the national average.
The good
- Affordable home prices
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Fast-growing population
The not so good
- Above-average unemployment
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High student-teacher ratio
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
How Daytona Beach compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Daytona Beach
Based on Daytona Beach's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,656
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $53,120 a year
- 56% of Daytona Beach renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$57,540
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $28,770
- Homes cost 5.5× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,328/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,328 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices are reasonable, with a median around $287,700. Not a steal, but not intimidating either.
Median home value $287,700 · 56% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▲ 26% above US
5.4% unemployment
Unemployment here is 5.4%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 133% above US
928 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 2676/100k · Daytona Beach Police Department · 2022 data
Getting around▼ 18% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 21.4 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 11% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 90°F, and winters are mild, with lows rarely dropping below 51°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
2 hospitals
There are 2 Medicare-certified hospitals inside city limits. They average 3.5 out of 5 on Medicare's star rating.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 23% below US
28% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 28%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
15 public schools inside the boundary
There are 15 public schools inside the boundary and 13 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Canaveral National Seashore (35 miles away). There are 4 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Daytona Beach's strongest points are home prices that remain within reach and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are unemployment above the national average and household incomes below the national average. A year of median rent ($1,328/mo) equals 31% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone moving without a job lined up and anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near Daytona Beach
All Florida guides →Moving to Holly Hill →
5 mi away · pop. 13,084
Rent $1,431/mo · Income $55,412
Compare with Daytona Beach →Moving to South Daytona →
6 mi away · pop. 13,543
Rent $1,379/mo · Income $56,579
Compare with Daytona Beach →Moving to Ormond Beach →
7 mi away · pop. 43,976
Rent $1,411/mo · Income $69,177
Compare with Daytona Beach →Moving to Port Orange →
8 mi away · pop. 64,767
Rent $1,634/mo · Income $74,426
Compare with Daytona Beach →Not sure Daytona Beach is the one?
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