2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Deltona

Florida (FL)

Best for: Families and value-conscious households seeking more home for the money between Orlando and Daytona.

2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents

Modern Livability71.2/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population100,267

Median Home$285,400

Median Rent$1,711

Median Household Income$76,924

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

Average Commute34.0 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.

71.2overall

Housing & Financial Reality88.0

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

Ease of Living69.0

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

Safety & Stability77.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity68.0

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

Health & Wellness75.0

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

Beauty & Sense of Place72.0

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

Mobility & Congestion34.0

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

Nature & Escape82.0

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

Diversity & Belonging76.0

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

Climate & Environment78.0

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

Community & Culture55.0

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

Infrastructure & Connectivity74.0

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

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate locally but burdensome for commuters. Many residents travel toward Orlando, Sanford or Daytona, producing one of the longer average commutes in this group.

Weekend EscapeVery good. Blue Spring, Gemini Springs, lakes, Daytona beaches and Orlando attractions are all within regional reach.

WalkabilityAbout 12/100 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 AccessGood. Orlando Sanford International is nearby and Orlando International provides a much larger route network farther south.

Outdoor AccessVery good. Springs, lakes, parks and Atlantic beaches are accessible, though most trips require a car.

Healthcare AccessGood. AdventHealth Fish Memorial in neighboring Orange City provides substantial acute and specialty care.

Air QualityGenerally good, with summer heat, pollen and occasional wildfire smoke as the main issues.

Third Places / Social LifeLimited to moderate. Parks and local restaurants serve daily life, but residents often travel to Sanford, Daytona or Orlando for deeper culture and nightlife.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Improving

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Deltona stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for housing affordability; safety; springs and beaches nearby; central location; family space. 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 long commute; very low walkability; limited downtown/social core; car dependence; rising insurance and housing costs.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

Deltona feels residential and practical. Its biggest advantage is housing value and regional location; its biggest weakness is how much daily life depends on driving.

STRENGTHS