Clay, AL vs Fairhope, AL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Clay is 22.4% cheaper than Fairhope. With a cost index of 90 vs 116, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Clay to Fairhope should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Clay is $1,373/month compared to $1,637/month in Fairhope — a 16% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Clay is more affordable at $198,400 median vs $406,500.

Median household income in Clay is $86,163 compared to $86,509 in Fairhope (-0.4%). Fairhope does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Clay spend roughly 19.1% of their income on rent, less than the 22.7% in Fairhope.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.9°F vs 66°F). Fairhope receives more rainfall at 65.8" per year compared to 56.6" in Clay.