Orange Beach 75 Excellent
Orange Beach Livability #17 ranked city in Alabama#3,891 ranked city in the USARanks better than 86% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Orange Beach

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

What's it like Living in Orange Beach?

Orange Beach is a small-sized city located in the state of Alabama. The city has a population of 6,366 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (98% White). Given that fact, Orange Beach could be considered less diverse than other cities. Based on an average age of 52, Orange Beach appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Orange Beach, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Orange Beach, Alabama. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, commute, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Orange Beach and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Orange Beach to Alabama and the national average.

Using data and statistics Orange Beach has received a livability score of 77 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 90th percentile when compared to all other cities. Clearly, Orange Beach is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Orange Beach has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Orange Beach ranks very well for education (A), employment (A+) and housing (A+).

When contemplating a move, job prospects often top the list of priorities. In Orange Beach, the outlook for new employment is notably brighter than in many other areas. The low unemployment rate of 2.4% points to a surge in job opportunities, the potential for higher wages, enhanced workforce productivity and increased economic growth. These favorable conditions bode well for individuals seeking career advancement and financial stability, making this area an appealing destination for those prioritizing professional opportunities and economic prosperity.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Orange Beach schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 80%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Orange Beach an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Orange Beach has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Orange Beach is actually affordable. The median home price for Orange Beach homes is $589,321, which is 150.2% higher than the Alabama average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Orange Beach, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.9, which is 36.1% higher than the Alabama average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Orange Beach

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Orange Beach?

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Compare Orange Beach, AL Livability

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      Orange Beach transportation information

      Statistic Orange Beach Alabama National
      Average one way commute26min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.9%85.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.7%8.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.4%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%1.1%2.8%
      Working from home13.2%2.9%4.6%
      Source: The Orange Beach, AL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.