| Index | Foley | Alabama | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 106 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 99 | 74 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 113 | 97 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 94 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 93 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Foley can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Foley cost of living index is 102, which is 2% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
In Foley, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Foley will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 8 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Foley. The feedback revealed that 0% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 100% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Foley affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Foley, for instance, where the median home price falls 5.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 16.3% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Foley flaunting a median household income of $71,131, 12.5% lower than the national norm.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Foley, the healthcare costs are 5.8% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Foley, the housing index is 1.3% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Foley, the groceries index is 0.6% higher than the national average.
The Foley cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $86,788 | $7,232 | $2,025 | $2,604 |
| Renters | $40,722 | $3,394 | $950 | $1,222 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Alabama | 4% | 13.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Alabama | 2% | 5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Robertsdale, AL | 6,958 | 90 | 10.2% |
| Elberta, AL | 2,012 | 95 | 4.5% |
| Perdido Beach, AL | 457 | 98 | 2.0% |
| Summerdale, AL | 1,470 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Bon Secour, AL | 2,072 | 102 | 1.7% |
| Foley, AL | 20,043 | 102 | 2.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Englewood, FL | 20,036 | 107 | 6.8% |
| Old Jamestown, MO | 20,034 | 101 | 1.0% |
| Makakilo, HI | 20,024 | 179 | 78.9% |
| Pinole, CA | 20,062 | 164 | 64.3% |
| Bethany, OK | 20,021 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Foley, AL | 20,043 | 102 | 2.4% |
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