2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Goleta, CA vs Gulf Shores, AL

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores or is it cheaper to live in Goleta?
- Gulf Shores is 38.9% less expensive than Goleta.

Which city has more affordable housing, Gulf Shores or Goleta?
- Gulf Shores housing costs are 66.8% less expensive than Goleta housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Goleta or is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores.
- Health related expenses are 2.0% more in Gulf Shores.
 Goleta, CAGulf Shores, ALUnited States
 Overall  Unlock94.5100
 Food & Groceries111.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock115.5100
 Housing350.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$439,200$338,100
 Utilities91  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock76.9100
 Miscellaneous142.5  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Goleta    2 Reviews

Lived in this area 2014-now (2022), Goleta for 4 years of that. Pros: *The climate is unbeatable, unless you enjoy being overly hot or cold, or snow sports which  More

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I live in Goleta and work part-time in Santa Barbara. I am semi-retired and have a decent income. Making wise choices of where to spend my income has always been  More

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Reviews for Gulf Shores    6 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Owned a place there for 20 years and spend a few weeks each season there. Heading back in a few weeks! Lows: Spotty internet for work. Saturday traffic. Hurricanes.  More

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I know that there are a few people out there that would just as soon throw rotten tomatoes at me for saying what I’m about to say, but I hate, hate, HATE living in Gulf  More

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Over 14 years ago

Gulf Shores offers many sunny days, compared to the rest of Baldwin County.  More

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