What is the cost of living in Gulf Shores, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Gulf Shores has an overall cost of living index of 112, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Gulf Shores has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Gulf Shores ranks as #108 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Gulf Shores ranks as the #8 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Gulf Shores, check out:
Gulf Shores Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Gulf Shores. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Gulf Shores is 102.
The Groceries index in Gulf Shores is 108.
The Health index in Gulf Shores is 135.
The Housing index in Gulf Shores is 104.
The Transportation index in Gulf Shores is 113.
The Utilities index in Gulf Shores is 99.
| Living Expense | Gulf Shores | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 112 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 135 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 104 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 113 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 95 | 100 |
Gulf Shores Cost Of Living Compared To Alabama Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Gulf Shores Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Gulf Shores, AL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alabama, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Gulf Shores is $450,266.
The Median Rent in Gulf Shores is $1,483.
The Median Income in Gulf Shores is $78,188.
The Home Value To Income in Gulf Shores is 5.8x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Gulf Shores is 0.23x.
| Statistic | Gulf Shores | Alabama | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $450,266 | $236,452 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,483 | $1,007 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $78,188 | $63,999 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 5.8x | 3.7x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.23x | 0.19x | 0.21x |
Gulf Shores, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Gulf Shores Services costs vs. Alabama
| Item | Gulf Shores | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.17 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.62 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $17.33 | $18 |
| Haircut | $24.75 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $45.72 | $45.56 |
Detailed Gulf Shores Groceries costs vs. Alabama
| Item | Gulf Shores | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.76 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.74 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.55 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.16 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.24 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $9.16 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.59 | $3.7 |
Detailed Gulf Shores Health costs vs. Alabama
| Item | Gulf Shores | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $122.28 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $128.94 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $138.76 | $113.29 |
Detailed Gulf Shores Transportation costs vs. Alabama
| Item | Gulf Shores | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.08 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $60.67 | $59.92 |
Detailed Gulf Shores Utilities costs vs. Alabama
| Item | Gulf Shores | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $162.85 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $187.62 | $192.25 |
Gulf Shores SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Gulf Shores
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Gulf Shores. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Pensacola, FL has a cost of living index of 107, 1.0x Gulf Shores.
Navarre, FL has a cost of living index of 116, 1.0x Gulf Shores.
Ferry Pass, FL has a cost of living index of 101, 0.9x Gulf Shores.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Gulf Shores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pensacola, FL | 54,036 | 107 | 1.0x |
| Navarre, FL | 39,838 | 116 | 1.0x |
| Ferry Pass, FL | 30,053 | 101 | 0.9x |
| Bellview, FL | 26,488 | 96 | 0.9x |
| Pace, FL | 26,282 | 104 | 0.9x |
| Fairhope, AL | 24,190 | 119 | 1.1x |
| Foley, AL | 24,026 | 104 | 0.9x |
| Brent, FL | 23,813 | 91 | 0.8x |
| Ensley, FL | 23,760 | 96 | 0.9x |
| Prichard, AL | 18,961 | 80 | 0.7x |
