salaryRent is higher than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.2 years of household income. Most homes (80.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $90,600 a year. That is $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 118 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Fairhope?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Fairhope
| Size | Fairhope | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $923 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,487 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,111 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,317 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Fairhope overall?
Everyday prices in the Daphne-Fairhope-Foley metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Fairhope
Life in Fairhope
What jobs pay in Fairhope
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,860 | 19.9% |
| Software Developer | $121,320 | 22.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $112,610 | 24.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $104,410 | 26.0% |
| Operations Manager | $100,260 | 27.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,790 | 28.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,760 | 29.0% |
| Lawyer | $80,090 | 33.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,450 | 34.2% |
| Accountant | $71,230 | 38.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,680 | 44.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,000 | 44.6% |
| Police Officer | $58,860 | 46.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,280 | 46.6% |
| Plumber | $57,080 | 47.6% |
| Market Research Analyst | $57,000 | 47.7% |
| Electrician | $50,840 | 53.5% |
| Truck Driver | $47,560 | 57.1% |
| Carpenter | $46,990 | 57.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $46,870 | 58.0% |
| Firefighter | $46,260 | 58.8% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,820 | 71.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,310 | 72.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,490 | 74.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,150 | 79.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,850 | 80.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,600 | 91.8% |
| Cashier | $28,380 | 95.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,080 | 100.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fairhope?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $725 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $430,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $43,090 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fairhope, AL?
Renting in Fairhope costs a median of about $2,265 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Fairhope?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $90,600 a year, or $44 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Fairhope cheap or expensive?
Fairhope is rated OK: rent takes 26.7% of the typical household income of $101,675. It ranks 118th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Fairhope?
The median homeowner in Fairhope pays $1,758 a year in property taxes, about 0.41% of the median home value.
Is Fairhope more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Fairhope?
The median home value in Fairhope is $430,900, about 4.2 times the typical yearly household income.
24,190 people live in Fairhope. Numbers are typical (middle) values.