2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Gulf Shores, AL vs Durham, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Durham or is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores?
- Durham is 4.6% more expensive than Gulf Shores.

Which city has more affordable housing, Durham or Gulf Shores?
- Durham housing costs are 8.3% less expensive than Gulf Shores housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores or is Health Care more affordable in Durham.
- Health related expenses are 15.2% less in Durham.
 Gulf Shores, ALDurham, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock98.8100
 Food & Groceries100.0  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock97.9100
 Housing116.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$388,000$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock84.1100
 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 Durham    43 Reviews

I was raised in this city, left for work in the 2010s, and returned in 2018. This city has changed a lot over the years for the better. Growing up there was not a ton to  More

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Over 4 years ago

I've lived in durham for a few years and my experience is coming from someone who has traveled all over the world and has lived in many different states. First things  More

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Over 4 years ago

I live here for my entire life and it has never gotten boring, I love the scenery, nightlife and basically everything here. There is always something new to do and  More

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