2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Gulf Shores, AL vs Charleston, SC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Charleston or is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores?
- Charleston is 18.5% more expensive than Gulf Shores.

Which city has more affordable housing, Charleston or Gulf Shores?
- Charleston housing costs are 14.0% more expensive than Gulf Shores housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores or is Health Care more affordable in Charleston.
- Health related expenses are 16.5% less in Charleston.
 Gulf Shores, ALCharleston, SCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock112.0100
 Food & Groceries100.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock96.5100
 Housing116.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$493,200$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock94.1100
 Miscellaneous84.4  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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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Reviews for Charleston    76 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Charleston is beautiful and unique and incredibly special. If you don't believe me, just ask Anthony Bourdain in his Parts Unknown episode - and he was an insightful  More

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Serious lack of health care and "good old boys club" whereby doctors will not even see the patient but diagnose them based on referring doctor. My sister died there for  More

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Over 5 years ago

Boy, has this once beautiful town changed...for the worse! I initially moved here 20 years ago because the people were so nice, no traffic, great choice of hospitals,  More

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