Gulf Shores, AL—36542
Real Estate Data & Market Trends
Key Metrics at a Glance
Home Price Trends — Gulf Shores, AL
As of Oct '25, the median home price in Gulf Shores, AL is $456,000, with a year-over-year change of -3.2%. This indicates that home prices in Gulf Shores, AL are decreasing. According to Zillow, the 1-year price projection is 0.9%, suggesting a relatively flat housing market in the next year.
Cost per Home Type
| Home Type | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
All Homes | $456,000 | -3.3% |
| Single Family | $499,000 | -2.7% |
| Condos | $408,000 | -5.1% |
Cost per Home Size
| Home Size | Median Home Value | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
1 Bed | $321,000 | -7.2% |
2 Bed | $386,000 | -6.3% |
3 Bed | $470,000 | -2.9% |
4 Bed | $615,000 | -1.6% |
| 5 Bed | $1,076,000 | -5.3% |
% of Housing Stock
Rental Trends — Gulf Shores, AL
As of July '25, Rentcast reports the average rent in Gulf Shores, AL is $2,000, with a year-over-year rent change of -20.0%. Per bedroom, the median rent as of July '25 in Gulf Shores, AL is studios: $1,050, 1-bedrooms: $1,260, 2-bedrooms: $1,400, 3-bedrooms: $2,340, 4-bedrooms: $2,510. The most common rental property sizes in Gulf Shores, AL are 2-bedroom and 1-bedroom, accounting for 51.2% and 24.7% of the rental stock.
| Type | Median Rent | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $2,000 |
| Studio Rent | $1,000 | $1,050 |
| 1 Bed Rent | $1,220 | $1,260 |
| 2 Bed Rent | $1,200 | $1,400 |
| 3 Bed Rent | $2,100 | $2,340 |
| 4 Bed Rent | $2,500 | $2,510 |
% of Rental Stock
Property Listings — Gulf Shores, AL
As of Oct '25, Realtor.com reports that the median days on market for a home in Gulf Shores, AL is 119. This is a increase of 26.0% from last year, suggesting that homes are sitting on the market longer than last year. The percentage of listed homes with a reduced price is 20.0%, representing a small inventory and little supply pressure on home prices.
| Metric | Zip Code Average | Year over Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
Median Listing Price | $552,000 | 2.0% |
Listing Count | 1,030 | 5.0% |
| Listings as % of Homes | 3.2% | 5.0% |
Days on Market | 119 | 26.0% |
Demographics — Gulf Shores, AL
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Gulf Shores, AL has a population of 17,300, which has increased by 24.4% over the past 5 years. Gulf Shores, AL is a less popular place for families, as children make up 14.6% of the population. The area has a moderately educated workforce, with 38.2% of adult residents holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are some residents working remotely, with 15.7% reporting working from home.
| Metric | Latest Census | YoY % Change |
|---|---|---|
Population | 17,300 | 24.4% |
% Under 18 | 14.6% | 19.7% |
% Seniors | 26.7% | 3.9% |
% WFH | 15.7% | 61.9% |
% w/ College Degree | 38.2% | 8.5% |
As of the latest ACS Survey released in 2023, Gulf Shores, AL is a predominantly white area, with 87.2% of the population identifying as white. The white population has shrunk by 8.0% in the last 5 years. The second most common race or ethnicity in Gulf Shores, AL is hispanic, making up 5.5% of the population. Foreign-born residents account for 8.5% of the population in Gulf Shores, AL, and this percentage has increased by 400.0% as of the ACS Survey 5 years prior, suggesting more immigrants are calling the area home.
Race and Ethnicity
| Metric | Latest Census | 5-Year % Change |
|---|---|---|
% White | 87.2% | -8.0% |
% Black | 2.4% | 700.0% |
% Hispanic | 5.5% | 89.7% |
% Asian | 1.2% | 71.4% |
% Foreign Born | 8.5% | 400.0% |
Mortgage and Risk — Gulf Shores, AL
According to HUD data as of 2023, there were 1073 mortgage originations in Gulf Shores, AL, of which 89.0% of loans were conventional mortgages. The average loan-to-value was 66.0%, with 14.0% above 90% LTV (elevated). This implies medium mortgage risk in Gulf Shores, AL. Investor activity is low, as 14.0% of loans were by investors. 6.0% of loans were cash-out refinances, suggesting few homeowners are tapping equity.
Mortgages
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
Total Loan Originations | 1,073 |
% Conventional Loans | 89.0% |
% Government Loans | 11.0% |
% Investor Loans | 14.0% |
% Second Loans | 35.0% |
% Cash Out Refinance | 6.0% |
Loan Activity
Rentals and Section 8 — Gulf Shores, AL
As of 2024, the percent of homes in Gulf Shores, AL under the Section 8 program is 0.5%. This is considered low, suggesting that the neighborhood is sparsely composed of Section 8 homes. Section 8 opportunity is good when HUD pays more than market rent. 2-bedroom units appear to be good home sizes to consider for Section 8 housing in Gulf Shores, AL, because HUD payments exceed market rent, while 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units do not.
Section 8 Market Size
Total Units under HUD | 9 |
Total Units Section 8 | 9 |
% Rentals under Section 8 | 0.5% |
% Occupied Section 8 | N/A |
Section 8 Opportunity
| Home Size | HUD Premium | Market Rent | Max HUD Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | -$150 | $1,220 | $1,070 |
| 2 Bedroom | $80 | $1,200 | $1,280 |
| 3 Bedroom | -$510 | $2,100 | $1,590 |
| 4 Bedroom | -$470 | $2,500 | $2,030 |
Affordability — Gulf Shores, AL
Home Price to Income Ratio
| Metric | Zip Code Average |
|---|---|
| Home Price to Income Ratio | 6.4 |
| Median Home Price | $456,000 |
| Median Household Income | $74,900 |