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Retirement community in Fairhope, Alabama

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Fairhope, Alabama Retirement Guide

established retirement community
58

Retirement Score

Fairhope, Alabama at a Glance

Median Home Price
$392,300
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.
Avg January Low
46.5°F
Cost of Living Index
88 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
58 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Fairhope, Alabama, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
88 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$85,456High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Fairhope's cost of living is 12% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$392,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
81.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Fairhope using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$850

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$955

Median home price used: $392,300

Median rent reference: $1,575 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Fairhope, Alabama after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
52 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
52 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
38.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Fairhope scores 52 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Fairhope

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Fairhope

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
60 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Alabama has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
87.8°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
46.5°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
62"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
322 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 322 sunny days a year and an average January low of 46.5°F, Fairhope offers a mild winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
88.5 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
7.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
22,605High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
44.9High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
25.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
10.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
53.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
89.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
4.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
4.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
0.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Fairhope

Is Fairhope, Alabama a good place to retire?

Fairhope, Alabama is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Fairhope, Alabama for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 88, roughly 12% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $392,300.

Does Alabama tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Alabama residents: State income tax; Social Security and defined-benefit pensions fully exempt.

What is the climate like in Fairhope, Alabama?

Fairhope, Alabama has January average low around 47°F, July average high around 88°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Fairhope, Alabama?

Fairhope scores 52/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a solid score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

NAVIANT PARTNERS, LLC

Financial Advisor

HAYEK KALLEN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT L.L.C.

Financial Advisor

BROWN FINANCIAL ADVISORY

BROWN MCLEOD, INC

Financial Advisor

+55 more financial advisors available

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