What it's like to live in South Daytona
South Daytona is a small city in Florida with home prices that remain within reach, crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and air quality that stays clean most of the year. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. South Daytona deals with household incomes below the national average, a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin, above-average rainfall, and fewer dining and entertainment options than a bigger city.
The good
- Affordable home prices
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Clean air
- Growing population
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- High rent burden for renters
- Above-average rainfall
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How South Daytona compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to South Daytona
Based on South Daytona's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,758
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $55,160 a year
- 56% of South Daytona renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$44,440
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $22,220
- Homes cost 3.9× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,379/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,379 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices here are genuinely accessible, with a median around $222,200. That kind of affordability is rare in today's market.
Median home value $222,200 · 56% of renters cost-burdened
Job market
4.5% county unemployment
Unemployment in Volusia County is 4.5%, close to the national average of 4.3%. That's the county-wide rate; BLS doesn't measure a place this size on its own.
Volusia County (county-wide)
Safety▼ 52% below US
190 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 1357/100k · South Daytona Police Department · 2022 data
Getting around▼ 20% below US
21 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 20.8 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are hot and humid, with highs regularly hitting 89°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
Education & workforce▼ 31% below US
25% bachelor's degree or higher
College degree attainment runs below average at 25%. That tends to reflect a more trade and working-class economy, which can be great or limiting depending on the industry.
Schools
1 public school inside the boundary
There is 1 public school inside the boundary and 2 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18:1, slightly above the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Canaveral National Seashore (30 miles away). There are 4 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
South Daytona's strongest points are home prices that remain within reach and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin. A year of median rent ($1,379/mo) equals 29% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime and people who want short commutes. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
Other places near South Daytona
All Florida guides →Moving to Port Orange →
4 mi away · pop. 64,767
Rent $1,634/mo · Income $74,426
Compare with South Daytona →Moving to Holly Hill →
6 mi away · pop. 13,084
Rent $1,431/mo · Income $55,412
Compare with South Daytona →Moving to Daytona Beach →
6 mi away · pop. 78,992
Rent $1,328/mo · Income $52,058
Compare with South Daytona →Moving to New Smyrna Beach →
10 mi away · pop. 31,974
Rent $1,712/mo · Income $83,865
Compare with South Daytona →Not sure South Daytona is the one?
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