Daytona Beach, FL

• Livability Partner
• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Daytona Beach, FL? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Daytona Beach, FL

Life is sunny in Daytona Beach, FL. With 23 miles of Atlantic shoreline, this Central Florida hotspot has evolved far beyond its roots as a spring break destination into a diverse community of nearly 90,000 residents. While it’s globally recognized for the Daytona International Speedway, locals know it as a city that offers one of the most accessible and affordable lifestyles in the state.

Beyond the sand and shoreline, Daytona Beach is defined by its many neighborhoods and public spaces. The Riverfront Esplanade is a central hub, where botanical gardens and splash pads offer a peaceful alternative to the high-energy entertainment at ONE DAYTONA. Arts and entertainment are within reach, whether you’re exploring the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences, admiring the murals on the Daytona Beach Mural Trail or catching a Broadway tour at the Peabody Auditorium. When you’re ready to get outdoors, Daytona Beach is a natural fit. When the sun is out – which is most of the time! – explore the shaded trails of Tuscawilla Park, play a round at LPGA International or kayak along the Tomoka River.

Daytona Beach is dynamic, offering a collaborative environment where you can grow a career and thrive as an entrepreneur. With many established companies operating here, opportunities for growth abound. For families, the quality of life is sweetened by an A+ school district and specialized schools such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the gold standard for aviation. Whether you’re watching a sunrise over the ocean or enjoying a local festival, Daytona Beach provides an unbeatable Florida lifestyle.

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Top Reasons to Move to Daytona Beach

• Daytona Beach is the Motorsports Capital of the World, serving as NASCAR’s headquarters and hosting events such as the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway.
• With a cost of living consistently lower than other Florida spots and median home prices more affordable than most beach cities, Daytona Beach offers affordable coastal living.
• Daytona Beach is a coastal paradise with 23 miles of white sand and year-round surfing, fishing and boating.
• Home to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – the world’s leader in aviation and aerospace education – Daytona Beach is a growing hub for aerospace and education. 

Daytona Beach is a sun-drenched coastal city along Florida’s Atlantic coast, famous for its hard-packed sands. It’s a major stop along Interstate 95 and serves as the eastern terminus of Interstate 4, connecting the coast to the heart of Central Florida. The Daytona Beach International Airport is located right next to the International Speedway, allowing visitors to land and be at the track or the beach in a matter of minutes. Geographically, the city is split by the Halifax River (part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway), which separates the mainland from the bustling barrier island beaches. When you’re ready to hit the road, here’s where to go:

• Orlando, 55 miles southwest, is known as the House of the Mouse, as it is home to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
• St. Augustine, 55 miles north, invites you to the nation’s oldest city and the historic Castillo de San Marcos.
• Jacksonville is about 90 miles north, where you can visit the Jacksonville Zoo, Cummer Museum of Art or relax at Jacksonville Beach.

Thanks to its humid subtropical climate, the area enjoys long, hot summers with afternoon thunderstorms and short, mild winters. The city’s proximity to the coast means residents can enjoy refreshing sea breezes and plenty of sunshine.

The sky is the limit when it comes to pursuing your career goals in this region. In general, Florida is an appealing place for companies to operate, and that’s especially true in Volusia County. Many well-established companies have operations here, which means there are plenty of opportunities for career growth. Major industries include health and life sciences, manufacturing and tourism/hospitality. The largest employers in the area include AdventHealth Systems, Halifax Hospital System and Publix Supermarkets Inc. Several companies are headquartered in Daytona Beach, including NASCAR and Brown & Brown Insurance.

Thanks to the Sunshine State’s favorable tax environment and tropical climate, top talent flocks to Volusia County. As a result, the region is packed with career opportunities. And Daytona Beach has a pipeline of homegrown talent thanks to Daytona State College, which generates $943 million in economic impact each year.

The cost of living in Daytona Beach is lower than the national average. The median home value in Daytona Beach is $345,676, and the average household income is $56,083.

While there is no state income tax in Florida, Daytona Beach residents can expect a combined 6.5% sales tax rate in 2026. 

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Daytona Beach is the “World Center of Racing.” While it is home to the iconic Daytona International Speedway, which hosts the Daytona 500 every February, that culture extends far beyond a single race. Even when engines aren’t roaring, the track offers daily tours and the immersive NASCAR Racing Experience, where visitors can drive a real stock car on the famous high banks. The city’s history is rooted in the early 1900s, when pioneers first raced on the packed sands of Ponce Inlet and Ormond Beach. This legacy is preserved at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, which celebrates everything from powerboats to fighter jets. From dining at the historic Streamline Hotel, where NASCAR was founded, to visiting the “Birthplace of Speed” park, Daytona Beach offers a high-octane atmosphere that makes it the ultimate destination for anyone who feels the need for speed.

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Life travels at the speed of light in Daytona Beach. Of course, the Daytona 500 might come to mind, but there are plenty of other things to do in this Florida city. There are 23 miles of Atlantic coastline waiting to be explored, and the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier is an entertainment hub where you can fish, dine and walk along the 1,000-foot pier. For a more relaxed activity, spend an afternoon exploring ONE DAYTONA, home to several different dining options, a movie theater and live entertainment in a walkable area. Families and lifelong learners alike love the Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), a Smithsonian affiliate. The 90-acre campus features a planetarium, interactive exhibits and a permanent collection of art from around the world. On the Daytona State College campus, the Southeast Museum of Photography preserves world-class visual art, while the Halifax Historical Museum displays artifacts dating back thousands of years. For performing arts, the historic Peabody Auditorium hosts a full calendar of events and is home to the Daytona Symphony Society.

Speaking of events, living in Daytona Beach means you’ll keep a full social calendar, thanks to the city’s numerous events and festivals. Downtown comes alive during the Downtown Daytona Nights, and the annual Halifax Art Festival draws more than 40,000 visitors each year. Explore Daytona Beach’s creative side along the Daytona Beach Mural Trail. Catch a free summer concert at the historic Daytona Beach Bandshell or enjoy the 10-day boom of Daytona Bike Week. For a more peaceful escape, head south to Ponce Inlet to climb the 175-foot Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest in Florida, or visit the Marine Science Center to see sea turtle and seabird rehabilitation in action. Baseball fans can’t miss the Jackie Robinson Statue and historical markers at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946.

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Located on the Atlantic Coast in Central Florida, Daytona Beach offers warm weather and a beachfront lifestyle with 23 miles of Atlantic shoreline. And while the white, sandy beaches are a huge part of outdoor life in Daytona Beach, a diverse outdoor experience extends far beyond the shoreline, waiting to be explored. Residents can escape the coastal hum at the nearby Tuscawilla Park, a downtown spot that features a zip-line adventure course and a popular 18-hole disc golf course. A visit to Tomoka State Park provides a scenic sanctuary for canoeing, fishing and birdwatching along the Tomoka River. Families love spending time outdoors at Riverfront Esplanade, a botanical park along the Intracoastal Waterway that features a running trail, splash pads for kids and several shady spots for picnics.

Hit the trails to explore Daytona Beach’s natural beauty. Ponce Preserve features a cross-section of barrier-island habitats, where hikers can climb an ancient shell midden or walk boardwalks that stretch from the Atlantic to the Halifax River. Those with pets have plenty of options, including the off-leash runs and agility equipment at the Halifax Humane Society Dog Park, and the dedicated dog-friendly stretches of beach near Ponce Inlet. Golfers can take advantage of the sunny Florida weather at any of the area’s public courses, including Daytona Beach Golf Club or LPGA International’s two championship courses. 

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Daytona Beach’s dining scene is as fresh as the local catch of the day, and the city is known for its ocean-to-table traditions. The Cellar Restaurant, located in the 1907 home of President Warren G. Harding, is a Golden Spoon award-winning restaurant known for its Italian menu and world-class wine list. If you want dinner with a view, Top of Daytona offers 360-degree views from the 29th floor of Peck Plaza, and Chart House on the Halifax River is a great spot to enjoy a prime rib while watching the sunset over the marina.

When it comes time to enjoy happy hour, Daytona Beach is an ideal place to imbibe. The Daytona Beach Ale Trail is a curated path of more than 20 different microbreweries and distilleries. McK’s Tavern & Brewery is a community anchor, offering everything from citrusy Florida-style IPAs to more traditional Irish stouts.

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Daytona Beach residents have excellent academic options that place a strong emphasis on workforce readiness. Volusia County Schools (VCS) serves nearly 62,000 students and includes more than 20 campuses within Daytona Beach proper. The district is known for its “Next Generation Career Academies,” which help students earn industry certifications in high-demand fields.

For families seeking alternative education options, Daytona Beach has a high concentration of private schools, with nearly a quarter of K-12 students attending private institutions. Father Lopez Catholic School is a regional leader, but there are several great options around town. The city also prioritizes making education accessible to all learners. Monarch Academy and Blue Jay Academy offer specialized, individualized programs for students with autism and other learning differences.

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