Rows tagged local are specific to Gulf Shores (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Daphne, AL. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.2
metro-area
#0 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
94.6
metro-area
#0 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.36
metro-area
#0 of 200
Median household income
$62,021
local
#0 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$31,550
local
#0 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.40%
local
#0 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+33.6%
local
#0 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$331,300
local
#0 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.3×
local
#0 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
-1.0%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Price per square foot
$162
local
#0 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,050 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,181
local
#0 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,544
Median days on market
48
metro-area
#0 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.8%
state
#0 of 200
Combined sales tax
9.25%
state
#0 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
5.00%
Capital gains tax
5.00%
state
#0 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.29%
local
#0 of 200
Median property tax paid
$947
local
#0 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,200
state
#0 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$7,000
state
#0 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$90
state
#0 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.70% of value (~$196/yr)
state
#0 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
21 min
local
#0 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#0 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$157
state
#0 of 200
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#0 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#0 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$117
state
#0 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#0 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#0 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#0 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#0 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#0 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
40
metro-area
#0 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,000
metro-area
#0 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,600
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg summer high
91°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Avg winter low
33°F
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual precipitation
56.6"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Annual snowfall
1.4"
metro-area
#0 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#0 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
450
state
#0 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,500
state
#0 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#0 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#0 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.