Fairhope, AL vs Orange Beach, AL

Fairhope, AL and Orange Beach, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Fairhope scores 116 while Orange Beach scores 113 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 Fairhope is $1,637/month compared to $1,339/month in Orange Beach — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orange Beach has cheaper rent, Fairhope actually has lower median home values ($406,500 vs $476,000).

Median household income in Fairhope is $86,509 compared to $89,034 in Orange Beach (-2.8%). Orange Beach offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fairhope spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 18% in Orange Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66°F vs 67.5°F). Fairhope receives more rainfall at 65.8" per year compared to 57.7" in Orange Beach.