Dauphin Island, AL vs Margaret, AL

The cost of living difference between Dauphin Island, AL and Margaret, AL is dramatic. Margaret is 50% cheaper than Dauphin Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Dauphin Island has a cost index of 116 while Margaret sits at 77, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Dauphin Island is $1,750/month compared to $881/month in Margaret — a 99% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Margaret is more affordable at $224,700 median vs $387,400.

Median household income in Dauphin Island is $64,615 compared to $97,075 in Margaret (-33.4%). Margaret offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Dauphin Island spend roughly 32.5% of their income on rent, more than the 10.9% in Margaret. The Margaret ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Dauphin Island is notably warmer with an average of 67.8°F compared to 63.9°F in Margaret. Dauphin Island receives more rainfall at 61.7" per year compared to 56.6" in Margaret.