In Gulf Shores, a typical home is worth $382,700 and typical rent is $1,483 a month. Compared with all of Baldwin County, the typical home value is 21% higher, typical rent is 16% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $414,090 to $452,589.
Typical rent
$1,790a month
▼ 2.9% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, December 2023 to September 2026: from $1,561 to $1,790.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Gulf Shores is in Baldwin County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Baldwin County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Robertsdale, the typical home value is $229,300: 40% less than in Gulf Shores ($382,700).
2
Nearby, in Robertsdale, the typical rent is $996: 33% less than in Gulf Shores ($1,483).
3
The typical home in Gulf Shores is worth $382,700,21% more than in Baldwin County as a whole ($316,900).
4
The typical rent in Gulf Shores is $1,483 a month, 16% more than in Baldwin County as a whole ($1,277).
5
71% of households in Gulf Shores own their home, against 78% in Baldwin County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Gulf Shores
What homes there are in Gulf Shores, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
United States
Kind of home: Gulf Shores and its comparisons
Measure
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
United States
Detached house
43%
65%
69%
61%
Attached house
3%
2%
2%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
46%
19%
12%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
10%
12%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
There are more apartments in Gulf Shores than in Baldwin County: 46% of homes, against 19%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
United States
Year built: Gulf Shores and its comparisons
Measure
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
United States
Before 1960
Unreliable estimate
5%
16%
26%
1960–1979
8%
13%
26%
24%
1980–1999
40%
34%
29%
25%
2000–2009
34%
26%
15%
14%
2010 or later
17%
22%
13%
11%
In Gulf Shores, half of the homes were built before 2000; in Baldwin County, before 1999.
Homes in Gulf Shores are smaller: 54% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Baldwin County, 72%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K5%
$200K–$300K20%
$300K–$500K39%
$500K–$750K17%
$750K–$1M11%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Gulf Shores and its comparisons
Measure
Gulf Shores
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
5%
$200K–$300K
20%
$300K–$500K
39%
$500K–$750K
17%
$750K–$1M
11%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49936%
$1,500–$1,99941%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Gulf Shores and its comparisons
Measure
Gulf Shores
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
36%
$1,500–$1,999
41%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,061 a month
Baldwin County: $1,613 a month
Without a mortgage
$638 a month
Baldwin County: $474 a month
Owners with a mortgage
56%
Baldwin County: 59%
Owning costs more in Gulf Shores: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $2,061 a month; in Baldwin County, $1,613. Without one, $638.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Gulf Shores+57%
Baldwin County+60%
Alabama+47%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Gulf Shores+37%
Baldwin County+25%
Alabama+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Gulf Shores+46%
Baldwin County+35%
Alabama+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Gulf Shores and its comparisons
Measure
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
United States
Typical home value
+57%
+60%
+47%
+53%
Typical rent
+37%
+25%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
+46%
+35%
+27%
+29%
Much as in Baldwin County, the typical home value in Gulf Shores rose 57% since 2015–2019.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Gulf Shores rose 37%, more than in Baldwin County (25%).
The typical household income in Gulf Shores rose 46% over that time; home values changed +57% and rent +37%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Gulf Shores and its comparisons
Measure
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
United States
Rental vacancy
48.5%
24.9%
7.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.7%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.6%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.17
2.47
2.48
2.53
Drive alone
72%
79%
81%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
6%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Work from home
20%
12%
9%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
There is more rental housing open in Gulf Shores: 48.5% is empty and offered for rent, against 24.9% in Baldwin County.
Households in Gulf Shores are smaller: 2.17 people on average; in Baldwin County, 2.47.
Working from home is more common in Gulf Shores: 20%, against 12% in Baldwin County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Gulf Shores?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Gulf Shores, worth $382,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 46% of the typical household income in Gulf Shores, which is $78,188 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $127,558 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Baldwin County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Gulf Shores. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $13,395 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,976
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$375,768
Total interest
$540,642
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $6,463 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,824 a month
Tight
$1,824 to $2,346 a month
Hard
more than $2,346 a month
Your payment · 46%
Compared with the typical household income in Gulf Shores ($78,188 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,546
Property tax
$102
Home insurance
$160
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$169
You need at least $13,395 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,976; principal and interest $2,546.
The city and its county
Gulf Shores and Baldwin County
Gulf Shores is in Baldwin County, Alabama. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Gulf Shores
Map of Baldwin County, Alabama, with Gulf Shores marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Other cities with a page
Gulf Shores's own numbers
Typical home value
$382,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,483
Typical yearly household income
$78,188
Households that own their home
71%
Effective property tax rate
0.32%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Baldwin County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,434
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+56%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
11%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Baldwin County.
A typical home in Gulf Shores is worth $382,700: 21% above the county and 82% above Alabama. With the typical household income in Gulf Shores ($78,188 a year), a typical home costs 4.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Gulf Shores4.9 years
Baldwin4.0 years
Alabama3.3 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Baldwin County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Baldwin County rose 103% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Baldwin County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Baldwin County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.1% +5.1% 2016
2017: +4.9% +4.9% 2017
2018: +5.6% +5.6% 2018
2019: +6.9% +6.9% 2019
2020: +4.4% +4.4% 2020
2021: +13.5% +13.5% 2021
2022: +17.3% +17.3% 2022
2023: +11.2% +11.2% 2023
2024: +3.0% +3.0% 2024
2025: +2.3% +2.3% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Baldwin County, Alabama and the United States
Period
County
Alabama
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+2.3%
+2.5%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+56%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+103%
+77%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Gulf Shores next to Baldwin County, Alabama and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Gulf Shores$382,700
Baldwin$316,900
Alabama$209,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Gulf Shores$1,483
Baldwin$1,277
Alabama$1,007
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Gulf Shores$78,188
Baldwin$78,775
Alabama$63,999
United States$80,734
See the full table
Gulf Shores next to Baldwin County and Alabama
Measure
Gulf Shores
Baldwin County
Alabama
U.S.
Typical home value
$382,700 ▲21% above the county
$316,900
$209,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,483 ▲16% above the county
$1,277
$1,007
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$78,188
$78,775
$63,999
$80,734
Households that own their home
71% ▼7 points below the county
78%
70%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,206 ▲26% above the county
$960
$788
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.32% ▲0.02 points above the county
0.3%
0.38%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
46% ▼1 points below the county
47%
49%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Baldwin County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Gulf Shores
For a typical $382,700 home in Gulf Shores, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Gulf Shores's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,976a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$13,395
Cash to close
$24,876
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $169
Conventional, 5% down$2,906a month
Down payment
$19,135
Cash to close
$30,616
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $182
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,336a month
Down payment
$76,540
Cash to close
$88,021
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,689a month
Down payment
$57,405
Cash to close
$68,886
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Gulf Shores
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,976
$13,395
$375,768
7.18%
FHA MIP · $169
$24,876
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,906
$19,135
$363,565
7.18%
PMI · $182
$30,616
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,336
$76,540
$306,160
7.18%
None
$88,021
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,689
$57,405
$325,295
8.18%
None
$68,886
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Gulf Shores is $1,483 a month: 16% above the county. In Gulf Shores, 46% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Baldwin County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,434 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.58 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Baldwin County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,180
$22.69
$47,200
1 bedroom
$1,317
$25.33
$52,680
2 bedrooms
$1,434
$27.58
$57,360
3 bedrooms
$1,855
$35.67
$74,200
4 bedrooms
$2,347
$45.13
$93,880
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Gulf Shores
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Gulf Shores has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,560 in 36542 to $1,610 in 36547.
2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Baldwin County ($1,434).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Gulf Shores, fiscal year 2027.
36542
$1,280
$1,430
$1,560
$2,020
$2,550
36547
$1,320
$1,480
$1,610
$2,090
$2,640
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
36542 $1,560$2,020
36547 $1,610$2,090
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Gulf Shores when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Gulf Shores. These are the largest.
Peppertree Phase II2500 Boddie Ln, Gulf Shores 3654272 homes, 61 low-income · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 24 · In service since 2001 · For people with disabilities, families
Peppertree Phase I2500 Boddie Ln, Gulf Shores 3654256 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 1998 · For people with disabilities, families
Jasmine Trails Apartments19451 Oak Rd W, Gulf Shores 36542In service since 2017 · For families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Baldwin County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Gulf Shores or Baldwin County. The ones below are statewide in Alabama: they work in Gulf Shores the same as in the rest of the state.
Alabama state authority program with down payment assistance of 4% of the price (up to $10,000) as a 10-year second mortgage, alongside a 30-year fixed mortgage.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Alabama state authority 30-year low-rate mortgage, for first-time buyers and for people who have owned a home before, with down payment assistance of 4% of the price, up to $10,000, as a ten-year second mortgage.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
Alabama state authority grant for closing costs with an HFA Advantage conventional loan: 1% of the loan if you earn up to 50% of the area median, or half a percent if you earn 50% to 80%.Offered by Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Gulf Shores or Baldwin County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Gulf Shores and all of Baldwin County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Gulf Shores?
The typical home value in Gulf Shores is $382,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Baldwin County it is $316,900.
How much does it cost to rent in Gulf Shores?
Typical rent in Gulf Shores is $1,483 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Baldwin County is $1,434.
What is the FHA loan limit in Gulf Shores?
Gulf Shores uses the FHA limit for all of Baldwin County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Gulf Shores?
The typical homeowner in Gulf Shores pays $1,206 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.32% of the home’s value; in Baldwin County, the rate is 0.3%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Gulf Shores?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Baldwin County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
