Fairfield, AL vs Grand Bay, AL

Fairfield, AL and Grand Bay, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.2% difference in their overall index. Fairfield scores 72 while Grand Bay scores 72 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Fairfield is $997/month compared to $963/month in Grand Bay — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grand Bay has cheaper rent, Fairfield actually has lower median home values ($120,100 vs $143,800).

Median household income in Fairfield is $48,492 compared to $62,318 in Grand Bay (-22.2%). Grand Bay offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairfield spend roughly 24.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in Grand Bay.

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