2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Daytona Beach

Florida (FL)

Best for: Beach lovers, motorsports fans, students, retirees and value-conscious households who want immediate ocean access and relatively low housing costs.

2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents

Modern Livability80.1/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population88,471

Median Home$287,700

Median Rent$1,328

Median Household Income$52,058

Cost of Living~98.5 (US=100; 2024 MSA)

Average Commute21.4 min

Unemployment~4.8% metro (Jul 2026)

Metro AreaDeltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

80.1overall

Housing & Financial Reality88.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living83.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability59.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity74.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness81.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place91.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion63.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape96.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging78.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment80.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture89.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity82.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Local commute times are short, but major events, beach traffic and I-95/I-4 interchange congestion can create temporary spikes.

Weekend EscapeOutstanding. The Atlantic beach is immediate, with Tomoka State Park, springs, paddling and the broader Volusia coast close by.

WalkabilityAbout 37/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so the quality of daily life depends heavily on where home, work and errands are located.

Airport AccessExcellent for a city this size. Daytona Beach International Airport sits next to the Speedway and provides easy local access; Orlando expands route options.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Beach access, oceanfront running/cycling, paddling, fishing and nearby state parks make outdoor life a central advantage.

Healthcare AccessStrong. Halifax Health provides major regional hospital and specialty services.

Air QualityGenerally good with ocean breezes, though heat, humidity, pollen and episodic smoke or storm impacts occur.

Third Places / Social LifeExcellent for its size. The beach, Main Street, Speedway events, restaurants, universities and tourism create constant activity, though it can feel seasonal.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Daytona Beach stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for beach; housing value; short commute; airport; events; outdoor access; healthcare; universities. The city does not score well simply because of one headline statistic: its profile reflects housing, everyday ease, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure together. The clearest tradeoffs are lower household income; event/tourism congestion; neighborhood safety variation; hurricane risk; some areas still feel economically uneven.

REAL LIFE