Orange Beach, located in Alabama, is a charming coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to transportation and housing, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $25 on average, with a range between $15 and $40.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $75, with prices ranging from $75 to $213.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10, with a range between $10 and $15.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3 to $7.09, imported beer $6 to $9, cappuccino $2.5 to $7, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $5.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.92 and $1.98 per liter, averaging $1.27.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $3.19 and $4.41, with an average price of $3.79.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2 to $5.09, averaging $3.45.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.62 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $2.05 to $8.82 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.65 and $4.41 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.5 to $2.61 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.74 and $0.92 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.5, with a cost of $1.49 per km and $35 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $36,000 and $38,000, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $26,000 to $30,000.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - Monthly preschool costs range from $1,500 to $1,576.67, averaging $1,563.89.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - Yearly tuition for international primary school is $10,230.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $106.25 and $375, averaging $209.08.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $50 to $93, with an average cost of $70.24.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs between $43 and $90, averaging $54.57.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$25.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$75.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.27
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.79
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.45
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.34
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.53
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$16.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.04
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$8.50
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.46
Apples (1kg)
$5.50
Oranges (1kg)
$4.57
Potato (1kg)
$3.11
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.05
Rice (white), (1kg)
$6.18
Tomato (1kg)
$4.66
Banana (1kg)
$1.68
Onion (1kg)
$3.07
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$15.30
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$36,884.90
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.75
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.49
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$26,997.26
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$209.08
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$70.24
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$54.57
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$15.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.14
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$36.67
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$79.17
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$112.50
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.64%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,563.89
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$10,230.00
Orange beach Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Orange Beach offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly based on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices are moderate, with essentials like milk and bread being reasonably priced.

Transportation costs are relatively low, especially for gasoline, making it affordable for car owners.

Housing and childcare costs can be significant, particularly for private schooling.

Utilities and internet services are moderately priced, contributing to the overall cost of living.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Orange Beach, AL, presents a balanced cost of living with affordable transportation and moderate grocery prices.

However, potential residents should be prepared for higher costs in housing and childcare, particularly if opting for private education.

Overall, Orange Beach offers a pleasant living environment with its coastal charm and community amenities, making it an attractive option for families and individuals alike.