Alabama is undeniably one of the most attractive places to settle down, thanks to its renowned college football traditions, the abundance of things to do, affordable housing, and low property taxes.
Increasing numbers of families are considering relocating to one of the state’s many desirable communities. Baldwin County, Alabama’s low cost of living is undoubtedly one of the aspects that keeps people moving here.
Compared to the rest of the country, the Southeastern region of the United States offers reasonable prices overall. If you’re trying to find a permanent home without breaking the bank, Baldwin County, Alabama is an excellent choice.
Here is a detailed guide to help you understand the cost of living in Baldwin County.
Cost of Living Index in Baldwin County, Alabama 2023
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As per the Bureau of Economic Analysis, a typical individual in Alabama will need approximately $35,859 per year to cover their basic living expenses. To give you a better idea of what a standard year of expenses may look like in Alabama, we’ve split down the significant costs of living into different essential categories:
| COST OF LIVING | Baldwin | Alabama | USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94.5 | 84.1 | 100 |
| Grocery | 97.3 | 94.4 | 100 |
| Health | 115.5 | 118.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 92.4 | 56.6 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $269,400 | $165,200 | $291,700 |
| Utilities | 97.7 | 101.2 | 100 |
| Transportation | 80 | 85.9 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 84.8 | 71 | 100 |
The overall cost of living index in Baldwin County is equivalent to 94.5, implying that it is more affordable to live in this region compared to other areas in Alabama and the United States.
Baldwin County residents can save money on groceries, medical care, housing, utilities, transportation, and other costs. Therefore, cutting back on spending on basic living necessities will positively impact your budget.
Food Cost in Alabama
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Alabama residents may expect to spend an average of $260.50 monthly on food and groceries. According to the BEA’s most recent Personal Consumption Expenditures data, the typical Alabama resident spends $260.50 per month, or $3,126 per year, on food purchases outside restaurants and supermarkets.
Compared to the rest of the country, the food and grocery prices in Alabama are relatively low. This is typical of the Southeastern states, apart from Virginia and North Carolina, where they are higher than the national average.
Keep in mind that these costs will change from one region in Alabama to another. Groceries will cost more in a larger city like Huntsville than in a smaller town like Decatur.
The Council for Community and Economic Research has compiled a list of the most expensive and least expensive cities in Alabama for groceries in the third quarter of 2021.
Living Wage in Baldwin County, Alabama
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How much money an individual needs to earn each hour to provide for their family is represented by the “living wage.” You will find below the standard living wage computation for Baldwin County to give you insights about how much money you need to live comfortably in the state.
In this scenario, it is assumed that the only breadwinner maintains a regular, full-time job, approximately 2,080 hours per annum. Unless otherwise specified, all values refer to one working adult in a two-earner household.
1 ADULT:
| No Children | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Wage | $16.58 | $33.28 | $41.89 | $54.45 |
| Poverty Wage | $6.53 | $8.80 | $11.07 | $13.34 |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 |
2 ADULTS WITH 1 WORKING ADULT:
| No Children | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Wage | $26.15 | $38.31 | $38.31 | $42.71 |
| Poverty Wage | $8.80 | $11.07 | $13.34 | $15.61 |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 |
2 ADULTS (BOTH ARE WORKING):
| No Children | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Wage | $13.07 | $18.63 | $23.27 | $27.54 |
| Poverty Wage | $4.40 | $5.54 | $6.67 | $7.81 |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 | $7.25 |
Baldwin County Utilities
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The Baldwin County Cost of Living takes into consideration, not just the basics you need to survive, such as food, healthcare, transportation, and gas, but also the utilities you may use at home. If you live in Baldwin County and require any of the following services, we’ve compiled a list of local providers for your convenience.
Baldwin County Sewer Service (B.C.S.S.): Sewer, Installation & Repair, Septic Tank Pumping
- Baldwin County Sewer Service (B.C.S.S.): Sewer, Installation & Repair, Septic Tank Pumping
- City limits of Spanish Fort, Summerdale, Elberta Silverhill, & Perdido Beach, plus many unincorporated areas of Baldwin County
- (251) 971-3022
Baldwin E.M.C.: Electricity
- Baldwin E.M.C.: Electricity
- All of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, plus most unincorporated areas of Baldwin County
- (251) 989-6247 / 800-837-3374
East Central Baldwin Water Authority: Water, Fire
- East Central Baldwin Water Authority: Water, Fire
- Eastern Baldwin Areas
- (251) 942-1242
Northern Baldwin Utilities: Water, Sewer, Natural Gas
- Northern Baldwin Utilities: Water, Sewer, Natural Gas
- Bay Minette & Northern Area of County
- (251) 580-1626
Riviera Utilities: Water, Sewer, Electricity, Natural Gas & Cable T.V.
- Riviera Utilities: Water, Sewer, Electricity, Natural Gas & Cable T.V.
- Water: South Baldwin County
- Sewer: The City of Foley only
- Electricity: Daphne, Spanish Fort, Point Clear, Loxley,
- Silverhill, Summerdale, Foley, Elberta, Lillian, Bon Secour, and Magnolia Springs
Natural Gas: Foley, Magnolia Springs, Summerdale, Elberta, Gulf Shores, Silverhill
Cable: Foley, Elberta, Summerdale, Magnolia Springs, and Bon Secour - (251) 943-5001 (Eastern Division Foley)
(251) 626-5000 (Electricity- Western Division Daphne)
Belforest Water: Water
- Belforest Water: Water
- Belforest (Parts of Daphne)
- (251) 626-5554
Daphne Utilities: Water, Sewer, Natural Gas
- Daphne Utilities: Water, Sewer, Natural Gas
- Daphne, Parts of Bay Minette & Central Areas of County
- (251) 626-2628
Fairhope Utilities: Water, Sewer, Natural Gas, Electricity, Sanitation
- Fairhope Utilities: Water, Sewer, Natural Gas, Electricity, Sanitation
- Fairhope & North of Fairhope in Various Areas
- (251) 990-0121
Mobile Gas: Natural Gas
- Mobile Gas: Natural Gas
- Spanish Fort & Bay Minette Areas
- (251) 476-8052
Silverhill (Town): Water
- Silverhill (Town): Water
- Town of Silverhill
- (251) 945-5198
Summerdale Utilities: Water, Sewer (Billing)
- Summerdale Utilities: Water, Sewer (Billing)
- Town of Summerdale
- (251) 989-6470 – Water / (251) 989-2437 – Sewer
White House Water System: Water
- White House Water System: Water
- White House Fork Area, Bay Minette
- (251) 937-2430
Wrap Up
The cost of living in any given area is affected by a number of different variables. The Cost of Living Index can be used to determine if relocating to a new state is financially feasible. In Baldwin County, the cost of living is low enough that even a middle-class lifestyle is attainable.
If you are interested in other real estate blogs, feel free to browse our website here. You can also contact me at 251-716-1421 or follow me on my social media platforms below for further assistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of living in Baldwin County, Alabama this 2023?
The annual cost of living in Alabama is estimated to be $35,859 on average this year.
What are some of the most affordable neighborhoods in Baldwin County, Alabama this 2023?
Bay Minette, Loxley, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort, and Daphne are some of the communities with the lowest cost of living in Baldwin County.
What amenities in Baldwin County make it a desirable place to live?
Amenities that residents can use whenever they wish are a common feature of modern neighborhoods and improves the overall desirability of a community. Here are some of the amenities that a typical family might look for:
- Pools and clubhouse
- Sports courts
- Paved walkways
- Vibrant green spaces
- Lakes and other visually-pleasing facilities
