Market comparison · October 2, 2026
Pace, FL vs Fairhope, AL: Which Housing Market Is Better Right Now?
Pace and Fairhope sell at almost the same pace, but Fairhope costs far more to buy into. Over the last six months, Pace’s median sale was $345,000 in a median of 51 days; Fairhope’s was $515,000 in 53 days — a $170,000 gap for essentially identical timing. These are the two markets families cross-shop most between the Florida and Alabama sides of the coast, and the price gap is the whole story.
The numbers, side by side
| Measure | Pace, FL | Fairhope, AL |
|---|---|---|
| Median sold price | $345,000 | $515,000 |
| Average sold price | $360,869 | $639,327 |
| Median days on market (sold) | 51 | 53 |
| Sold, last 6 months | 507 | 477 |
| Active listings | 306 | 350 |
| Pending | 81 | 38 |
| Pending ratio | 26% | 11% |
| Median list price (active) | $374,950 | $525,000 |
| Months of supply | 3.6 | 4.4 |
What actually separates them
The days-on-market numbers are almost a coin flip — 51 in Pace, 53 in Fairhope. If speed of sale were the only thing that mattered, these would look like the same market. They aren’t. Pace’s pending ratio is 26%, more than double Fairhope’s 11%, which means a much larger share of what’s listed in Pace is actively converting into contracts right now. Fairhope is selling plenty of homes too — 477 over six months isn’t a slow market — but relative to its own inventory, less of it is moving at any given moment.
The price gap is the real headline: $170,000 on the median, widening to $278,458 on the average. Fairhope’s active median list price, $525,000, sits well above what’s already sold there, which says the pricier inventory coming onto the market isn’t slowing down.
If you’re buying
Pace gives you a comparable timeline at a fraction of the price, with the added benefit of a much higher pending ratio working in your favor if you need to move fast on a good listing before someone else does. Fairhope costs significantly more for a market that isn’t converting buyers as quickly relative to what’s available.
If you’re selling
Pace’s 26% pending ratio is a strong number — a real share of the active market is finding buyers right now. Fairhope’s 11% and deeper supply (4.4 months against Pace’s 3.6) call for more patience and sharper pricing against the competition.
Common questions
Is Pace or Fairhope cheaper? Pace, by a wide margin. Its median sale was $345,000 over the last six months against Fairhope’s $515,000, a $170,000 difference.
Which sells faster, Pace or Fairhope? They’re nearly tied — 51 days median in Pace against 53 in Fairhope.
Which is the stronger market for sellers right now, Pace or Fairhope? Pace. Its 26% pending ratio is more than double Fairhope’s 11%, meaning a larger share of what’s listed is actively converting into contracts.
Data: AreaPro, 6-month sold period, all property types (single-family, townhome, condo), both areas pulled the same day for a direct comparison. Pulled September 5, 2026.
Tyler Darden — REALTOR®, Military Relocation Professional · Real Broker, LLC · Licensed in Florida (SL3662859) and Alabama (146317)
Related: Pace, FL Housing Market — August 2026 · Fairhope Housing Market — Fall 2026