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
#84 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
94.6
metro-area
#52 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.36
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Median household income
$62,021
local
#2527 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$31,550
local
#2935 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
43.7 years
metro-area
#183 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
32.8%
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
3.8%
metro-area
#181 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
77.5%
metro-area
#2 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.40%
local
#222 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+33.6%
local
#107 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$331,300
local
#1608 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.3×
local
#2516 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-1.0%
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$162
local
#1356 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,050 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,181
local
#907 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
3,544
Median days on market
48
metro-area
#189 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.8%
state
#78 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
9.25%
state
#174 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.00%
Capital gains tax
5.00%
state
#115 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.29%
local
#21 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$947
local
#98 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
76.6 years
metro-area
#96 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,200
state
#10 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
10.2%
metro-area
#128 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
63
metro-area
#161 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$7,000
state
#5 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$90
state
#74 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
0.70% of value (~$196/yr)
state
#134 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
21 min
local
#360 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
80.3%
metro-area
#179 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
38.1%
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.4¢/kWh
state
#116 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$157
state
#116 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$2.95/gal
state
#3 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#139 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$117
state
#121 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,400
state
#139 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
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.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
96.7 — Relatively High
metro-area
#163 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
40
metro-area
#40 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,000
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
94%
state
#64 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,600
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
38
metro-area
#115 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
91°F
metro-area
#136 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
33°F
metro-area
#83 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
56.6"
metro-area
#186 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
1.4"
metro-area
#63 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
450
state
#134 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,500
state
#151 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
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
#1 of 200 metros
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.