Cost of Living in Fairhope, AL
Population 23,360 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Fairhope a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $407,000.
Fairhope sits roughly 15 miles southeast of Mobile — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 139% higher than Mobile's $170,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Fairhope
The median home value in Fairhope is $406,500 — 33% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,637/month, 25% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $86,509/year is 16% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, below the national average of 4.8%. Alabama's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 9.2%. Overall, Fairhope has a cost of living index of 130 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 30% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Fairhope, AL?
Fairhope has a cost index of 130 (100 = national average). It is 30% above the national average.
What is average rent in Fairhope, AL?
The median gross rent in Fairhope is $1,637 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Fairhope?
The median home value in Fairhope is $406,500 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Fairhope?
The median household income in Fairhope is $86,509 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Fairhope, AL?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fairhope is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.
Is Fairhope, AL affordable?
Fairhope is above average in cost of living, with an index of 130 — about 30% higher than the national average.
Fairhope at a Glance
- Population
- 23,360
- Median Income
- $86,509
- Home Value
- $406,500
- Median Rent
- $1,637/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.6%
- Sales Tax
- 9.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Alabama Rankings
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