Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$78,188$6,516 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Gulf Shores, AL
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Gulf Shores, AL
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,094 | $13,128 | $43,760 | 16.8% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,200 | $14,400 | $48,000 | 18.4% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,345 | $16,140 | $53,800 | 20.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,692 | $20,304 | $67,680 | 26% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,171 | $26,052 | $86,840 | 33.3% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Gulf Shores, AL
Based on the local median household income of $78,188/year ($6,516/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Alabama
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Alabama state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Alabama with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Gulf Shores, AL
What is the median household income in Gulf Shores, AL?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Gulf Shores, AL is $78,188 per year (approximately $6,516 per month).
What is the average rent in Gulf Shores, AL?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Gulf Shores, AL are $1,094 for a studio, $1,200 for 1 bedroom, $1,345 for 2 bedrooms, $1,692 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,171 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Gulf Shores, AL compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Gulf Shores, AL is 94.7 (5.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Gulf Shores, AL?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,345/month) in Gulf Shores, AL requires a minimum gross household income of $53,800 per year ($4,483 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Gulf Shores, AL?
For a typical household earning the median income of $78,188/year ($6,516/month) in Gulf Shores, AL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,258/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,955/month to discretionary spending, and $1,303/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Gulf Shores, AL?
Residential electricity rates in Alabama average 16.4¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $148 per month.