Dauphin Island is a small town of 1,793 in Alabama, with a median household income of $62,000
and a 15.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Dauphin Island stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Dauphin Island is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Dauphin Island city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.4
Dauphin Island's overall cost of living index is 89.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Dauphin Island costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Dauphin Island, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$355,200
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,268
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
96.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$62,000
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Dauphin Island's violent crime rate is 103.5 per 100,000 residents
— 73% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
103.5 /100k
Property Crime
1397.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Dauphin Island is served primarily by Mobile County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Dauphin Island, AL
National Avg
School District
Mobile County
—
Elementary Schools
53
—
Middle Schools
17
—
High Schools
17
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
40.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Dauphin Island sees average highs of 58.6°F in January
and 88.2°F in July,
with 61.1 inches of annual precipitation
.
Dauphin Island's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Dauphin Island roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $355,200 and median rent is $1,268/month.
Dauphin Island's violent crime rate is 103.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1397.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Dauphin Island are operated by Mobile County.
The district has 53 elementary, 17 middle, and 17 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. 40.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Dauphin Island, AL has a population of 1,793, a median household income of $62,000, and an unemployment rate of 15.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Dauphin Island averages 58.6°F in January and 88.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 61.1 inches
.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Dauphin Island, AL is covered by 1 ZIP code: 36528.
The population of Dauphin Island, Alabama is 1,793 with a median age of 60.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Dauphin Island: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $355,200, median household income $62,000, crime index 43 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Dauphin Island side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
