B
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
21%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Daphne Alabama National
Cost of living10489100
Goods & Services9495100
Groceries9898100
Health care11291100
Housing12174100
Transportation9190100
Utilities10598100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Daphne, AL

Knowing the cost of living in Daphne allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Daphne stands at 104, marking it 4% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Daphne is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

When it comes to the cost of living in Daphne, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 20.7% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Daphne?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 11 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Daphne. The results indicated that 64% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 36% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Daphne Affordable?

Is Daphne an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Daphne is 21.3% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 19.1% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Daphne has a median household income of $107,327, which is 32% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Daphne?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Daphne, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 4%, and income tax rates start at 2%.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Daphne comes in at 4.5% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Daphne, the housing index is 20.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Daphne, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Daphne is 17% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Daphne is 4% higher than the national average
  • Daphne housing is 21% higher than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Daphne

See all the best places to live around Daphne

Compare Daphne, AL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$119,147$9,929$2,780$3,575
      Renters$83,783$6,982$1,955$2,514
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Daphne, AL, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Daphne, the median monthly income is $119,147 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,780 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $83,783, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,955 on monthly rental expenses.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Daphne National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.04$27.6216.6%
      Beauty Salon $40.83$51.1120.1%
      Toothpaste $4.02$4.091.8%
      Shampoo $1.65$1.547.0%
      Movie $12.87$12.880.1%
      Yoga $20.00$19.661.7%

      Groceries

      Item Daphne National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.65$7.700.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.38$1.6617.0%
      Milk $4.78$4.731.0%
      Potatoes $5.61$5.266.7%
      Pizza $12.47$12.762.3%
      Beer $10.36$10.551.8%

      Health Care

      Item Daphne National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $135.51$140.063.2%
      Doctor $134.17$153.8212.8%
      Dentist $152.89$123.1524.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.52$11.731.8%
      Lipitor $29.32$23.6124.2%

      Housing

      Item Daphne National avg. Difference
      Home Price $396,315.00$326,622.0021.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,780.11$2,480.2528.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,720.00$1,444.0019.1%

      Transportation

      Item Daphne National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.89$3.065.3%
      Tire Balancing $54.51$65.2116.4%

      Utilities

      Item Daphne National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $237.88$220.128.1%
      Phone $193.60$195.711.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Prichard, AL22,2038317.2%
      Chickasaw, AL5,9548415.9%
      Belle Fontaine, AL5148812.2%
      Robertsdale, AL6,958909.8%
      Stapleton, AL2,562909.6%
      Daphne, AL27,1601043.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      University Park, FL27,16611413.7%
      Sun City Center, FL27,17711010.2%
      Auburn, NY27,1879010.1%
      Ewa Gentry, HI27,20318282.2%
      Troy, OH27,108954.6%
      Daphne, AL27,1601043.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.