Daytona Beach, FL vs Key West, FL

The cost of living difference between Daytona Beach, FL and Key West, FL is dramatic. Daytona Beach is 44.3% cheaper than Key West, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Daytona Beach has a cost index of 92 while Key West sits at 166, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Daytona Beach is $1,239/month compared to $2,075/month in Key West — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Daytona Beach is more affordable at $244,300 median vs $816,300.

Median household income in Daytona Beach is $50,130 compared to $78,532 in Key West (-36.2%). The higher salaries in Key West partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Daytona Beach spend roughly 29.7% of their income on rent, less than the 31.7% in Key West. The Daytona Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.