2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Gulf Shores, AL vs Boulder, CO

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Boulder or is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores?
- Boulder is 49.5% more expensive than Gulf Shores.

Which city has more affordable housing, Boulder or Gulf Shores?
- Boulder housing costs are 177.6% more expensive than Gulf Shores housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores or is Health Care more affordable in Boulder.
- Health related expenses are 26.0% less in Boulder.
 Gulf Shores, ALBoulder, COUnited States
 Overall  Unlock141.3100
 Food & Groceries100.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.5100
 Housing116.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$997,100$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock95.2100
 Miscellaneous84.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Gulf Shores

Reviews for Boulder    55 Reviews

Outside of the university, Boulder had a very distinctive "wealthy hippy" feel. A lot of alternative medicine and a matching ethos. This is changing some among my  More

   |    Reply

We moved here from Texas about 4 years ago and love it here! The amazing sense of community and high regard for the environment are two of the main reasons we love  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Most people do much worse than Boulder. I'm the most critical person I've ever met who is never happy or satisfied -- so that's a pretty huge compliment.   More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Boulder


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.