Dauphin Island, AL vs Roanoke, AL

The cost of living difference between Dauphin Island, AL and Roanoke, AL is dramatic. Roanoke is 93.6% 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 Roanoke sits at 60, 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 $589/month in Roanoke — a 197% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Roanoke is more affordable at $129,100 median vs $387,400.

Median household income in Dauphin Island is $64,615 compared to $48,083 in Roanoke (+34.4%). Dauphin Island 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 Dauphin Island spend roughly 32.5% of their income on rent, more than the 14.7% in Roanoke. The Roanoke 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 63.1°F in Roanoke. Dauphin Island receives more rainfall at 61.7" per year compared to 52.1" in Roanoke.