salaryRent is higher than in 63% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $76,040 a year. That is $37 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 112 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Gulf Shores?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Gulf Shores
| Size | Gulf Shores | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,186 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,710 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,836 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,430 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores
Life in Gulf Shores
What jobs pay in Gulf Shores
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,860 | 16.7% |
| Software Developer | $121,320 | 18.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $112,610 | 20.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $104,410 | 21.8% |
| Operations Manager | $100,260 | 22.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,790 | 24.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,760 | 24.3% |
| Lawyer | $80,090 | 28.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $79,450 | 28.7% |
| Accountant | $71,230 | 32.0% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,680 | 37.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,000 | 37.4% |
| Police Officer | $58,860 | 38.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $58,280 | 39.1% |
| Plumber | $57,080 | 40.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $57,000 | 40.0% |
| Electrician | $50,840 | 44.9% |
| Truck Driver | $47,560 | 48.0% |
| Carpenter | $46,990 | 48.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $46,870 | 48.7% |
| Firefighter | $46,260 | 49.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,820 | 60.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,310 | 61.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $36,490 | 62.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,150 | 66.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $33,850 | 67.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $29,600 | 77.1% |
| Cashier | $28,380 | 80.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,080 | 84.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Gulf Shores?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $754 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $382,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $38,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Gulf Shores, AL?
Renting in Gulf Shores costs a median of about $1,901 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Gulf Shores?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $76,040 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Gulf Shores cheap or expensive?
Gulf Shores is rated OK: rent takes 27.1% of the typical household income of $84,326. It ranks 112th cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Gulf Shores?
The median homeowner in Gulf Shores pays $1,206 a year in property taxes, about 0.32% of the median home value.
Is Gulf Shores 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 Gulf Shores?
The median home value in Gulf Shores is $382,700, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
16,401 people live in Gulf Shores. Numbers are typical (middle) values.