Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Highlands, NC vs. Gulf Shores, AL

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Highlands, NC vs Gulf Shores, AL

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Gulf Shores or is it cheaper to live in Highlands?
- Gulf Shores is 4.8% more expensive than Highlands.

Which city has more affordable housing, Gulf Shores or Highlands?
- Gulf Shores housing costs are 43.6% less expensive than Highlands housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Highlands or is Health Care more affordable in Gulf Shores.
- Health related expenses are 5.3% less in Gulf Shores.
 Highlands, NCGulf Shores, ALUnited States
 Overall90.294.5100
 Food & Groceries106.8100.0100
 Health121.9115.5100
 Housing205.9116.2100
 Median Home Cost$794,000$439,200$338,100
 Utilities9,450.0%9,840.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation69.076.9100
 Miscellaneous90.584.4100

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

View More Data >

Reviews for Highlands    3 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

This used to be a quaint, quiet, sweet little town, but it has ballooned into a rich man's Mecca. Fist of all, it's a tiny town... so parking is at a premium and it gets  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

I have run two businesses in Highlands. It is a very seasonal business trend. The rents are high and so is the cost of doing business, including labor cost, cost of  More

   |    Reply

A beautiful mountain resort area with cool summers, Highlands has become the mecca for Southern High Roller to "summer". Restaurants, country clubs, elite shops, and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Highlands

Reviews for Gulf Shores    6 Reviews

Over 3 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 13 years ago

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Gulf Shores

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Highlands, North Carolina Cost of Living vs Gulf Shores, Alabama Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA
28741
ZIPS IN GULF SHORES, ALABAMA
36542

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.

Try Now