Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Gulf Shores is a moderately-sized city located in the state of Alabama. The city has a population of 12,550 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (97% White). Given that fact, Gulf Shores could be considered less diverse than other cities. Based on an average age of 51, Gulf Shores appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Gulf Shores will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Gulf Shores could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alabama if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Gulf Shores, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, health & safety, education and more.
The livability score in Gulf Shores is 64/100 and the city is ranked in the 57th percentile of all cities across America. There are some categories that Gulf Shores ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and education (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Gulf Shores has an unemployment rate of 2.12% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
Assuming that Gulf Shores meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Gulf Shores. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Gulf Shores are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Gulf Shores come in at $254,500, which is 98.1% higher than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Gulf Shores, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 65.5% higher than the Alabama average.
| Statistic | Gulf Shores | Alabama | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 84.6% | 85.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.4% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 1.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.3% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Alabama
Check out the 10 safest cities in Alabama
See the best places to live in Gulf Shores
Safest Cities In The US