Cost of Living in Gulf Breeze, FL

Population 6,519 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

133
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Gulf Breeze a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $485,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.8% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 60 miles east of Mobile, Gulf Breeze is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 185% higher than Mobile's $170,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 159
Rent 95

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

About the Cost of Living in Gulf Breeze

The median home value in Gulf Breeze is $484,800 — 59% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,246/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $108,575/year is 46% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Gulf Breeze has a cost of living index of 133 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 33% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$484,800
59% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$465,485
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,246/mo
5% below avg
Zillow Rent
$2,066/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
32.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 77.7%
Renter-occupied 22.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,246
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,860/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
23.9 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
23.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.0%
Carpooled
2.0%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
2.1%
Bicycle
1.1%
Work from home
23.9%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$108,575
46% above avg
Per Capita Income
$71,812
Unemployment Rate
8.8%
83% above avg
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Labor Force Participation
58.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 37.7%
Graduate degree 20.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.2
Male median age 47.2
Female median age 50.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
56.7%
Good air days/yr
103
Max AQI recorded
258
PM2.5 days
107
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gulf Breeze, FL?

Gulf Breeze has a cost index of 133 (100 = national average). It is 33% above the national average.

What is average rent in Gulf Breeze, FL?

The median gross rent in Gulf Breeze is $1,246 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gulf Breeze?

The median home value in Gulf Breeze is $484,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gulf Breeze?

The median household income in Gulf Breeze is $108,575 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gulf Breeze, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gulf Breeze is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Gulf Breeze, FL affordable?

Gulf Breeze is above average in cost of living, with an index of 133 — about 33% higher than the national average.

Gulf Breeze at a Glance

Population
6,519
Median Income
$108,575
Home Value
$484,800
Median Rent
$1,246/mo
Unemployment
8.8%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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