Cost of Living in Grand Bay, AL

Population 3,765 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

58
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Grand Bay is a smaller Alabama community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $62,318 and housing costs ($144,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Grand Bay sits roughly 20 miles southwest of Mobile — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 16% lower than Mobile's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 47
Rent 73

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Grand Bay

The median home value in Grand Bay is $143,800 — 53% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $963/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,318/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.8%, above 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, Grand Bay has a cost of living index of 58 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 42% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$143,800
53% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$211,545
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$963/mo
27% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$646
1 BR
$688
2 BR
$857
3 BR
$1,132
4 BR
$1,309
Owner-occupied 79.6%
Renter-occupied 20.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$963
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,577/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
39.1 min
45% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
91.6%
Carpooled
2.6%
Work from home
5.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 9.2%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 5.2%
Property Tax 0.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$62,318
16% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,377
Unemployment Rate
5.8%
21% above avg
Poverty Rate
2.8%
Labor Force Participation
64.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.8%
Graduate degree 1.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.7
Male median age 38.2
Female median age 41.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
56.2%
Good air days/yr
108
Max AQI recorded
257
PM2.5 days
96
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Grand Bay, AL?

Grand Bay has a cost index of 58 (100 = national average). It is 42% below the national average.

What is average rent in Grand Bay, AL?

The median gross rent in Grand Bay is $963 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Grand Bay?

The median home value in Grand Bay is $143,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Grand Bay?

The median household income in Grand Bay is $62,318 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Grand Bay, AL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Grand Bay is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Grand Bay, AL affordable?

Yes, Grand Bay is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 58 — about 42% below the US national average of 100.

Grand Bay at a Glance

Population
3,765
Median Income
$62,318
Home Value
$143,800
Median Rent
$963/mo
Unemployment
5.8%
Sales Tax
9.2%
View all cities in Alabama →
🗺️ County data for Alabama

Explore county-level cost of living data

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