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Gulf Shores, Alabama Retirement Guide
established retirement community
59
Retirement Score
Gulf Shores, Alabama at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $331,300
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- 48.8°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 88 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 59 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
88 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$331,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,181High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)Data not available
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
35.4 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access ScoreData not available
Climate
Avg July High
87°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
48.8°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
52.2"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
320 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
88.5 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
0 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
15,178High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
50.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
26.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$62,021High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
66.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
8.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
38.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
8.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
92.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
2.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
4.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
1.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Gulf Shores using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$718
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$806
Median home price used: $331,300
Median rent reference: $1,181 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.