Orange Beach, AL vs Pelham, AL

Pelham is moderately more affordable than Orange Beach, with a 9.7% lower cost of living index. Orange Beach scores 113 compared to 103 for Pelham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Orange Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Orange Beach is $1,339/month compared to $1,573/month in Pelham — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orange Beach has cheaper rent, Pelham actually has lower median home values ($278,900 vs $476,000).

Median household income in Orange Beach is $89,034 compared to $91,904 in Pelham (-3.1%). Pelham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Orange Beach spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Pelham.

Climate-wise, Orange Beach is notably warmer with an average of 67.5°F compared to 64.4°F in Pelham. Orange Beach receives more rainfall at 57.7" per year compared to 56.2" in Pelham.