Cost of Living in Gulfport, MS
Updated November 2026 · Harrison County · Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area · population 73,003
Prices in Gulfport are 9.6% below the US average (local index 90.4; the BEA index for the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area is 90.0), with local housing the biggest saving at 64.8; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,294 a month and the median rent is $1,086.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Gulfport's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area, unchanged.
Gulfport price index by category, US average = 100: All items 90.4, Housing (rents) 64.8, Goods 96.2, Utilities 76.3, Other services 96.1
Cheaper than 91% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.1 | 89.2 | 88.9 | 88.9 | 88.9 | 90.0 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Gulfport, MS
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $720 | $8,640 | 31% |
| Utilities | $240 | $2,880 | 10% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 12% |
| Transportation | $564 | $6,768 | 25% |
| Health care | $338 | $4,056 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $161 | $1,932 | 7% |
| Total | $2,294 | $27,528 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Gulfport, MS
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $853 | $10,236 | 23% |
| Utilities | $377 | $4,524 | 10% |
| Food at home | $501 | $6,012 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,117 | $13,404 | 29% |
| Health care | $626 | $7,512 | 17% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $317 | $3,804 | 8% |
| Total | $3,791 | $45,492 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Gulfport, MS
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $989 | $11,868 | 21% |
| Utilities | $459 | $5,508 | 10% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,485 | $17,820 | 32% |
| Health care | $583 | $6,996 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $408 | $4,896 | 9% |
| Total | $4,639 | $55,668 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Gulfport
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $933 |
| 1 bedroom | $898 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,063 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,233 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,434 |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,086 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $871 |
| Median home value | $174,600 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,339/mo |
| Median household income | $49,919 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 33.6% |
| Home value ÷ household income Affordable | 3.5× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Mississippi
14.43¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +6.0% (from 13.61¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 1,170 kWh a month in Mississippi ≈ $174/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline regional figure: Gulf Coast (PADD 3)
$3.64 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +44.8% (from $2.51) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey; Mississippi is covered by the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average.
Inflation in the South
Consumer prices in the South Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Gulfport are 9.6% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $66,400 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 90.4. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi, MS | 8 mi | 90.4 | $2,333 | $1,089 |
| New Orleans, LA | 58 mi | 93.5 | $2,442 | $1,251 |
| Mobile, AL | 60 mi | 90.0 | $2,296 | $1,068 |
| Metairie, LA | 72 mi | 92.5 | $2,452 | $1,175 |
| Kenner, LA | 76 mi | 92.5 | $2,374 | $1,179 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorain, OH | 90.4 | $2,125 | $887 |
| Independence, MO | 90.3 | $2,294 | $1,109 |
| Birmingham, AL | 90.3 | $2,409 | $1,107 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | 90.4 | $2,261 | $1,022 |
| Midwest City, OK | 90.3 | $2,227 | $1,091 |
| Longview, TX | 90.4 | $2,344 | $1,101 |
Compare Gulfport with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Gulfport, MS an expensive place to live?
Gulfport has a local cost of living index of 90.4, which is 9.6% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metro area (90.0) and adjusts housing to Gulfport's own rents. It is 3.4 points above the Mississippi average. Cheaper than 91% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Gulfport?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,294 for a single adult, $3,791 for a couple and $4,639 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $54,200 in Gulfport.
What is the average rent in Gulfport?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,086 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $898, 2 bedrooms $1,063, 3 bedrooms $1,233. The typical renter spends 33.6% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Gulfport?
The median owner-estimated home value is $174,600, 3.5 times the median household income of $49,919 (affordable). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,339 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Gulfport?
Mississippi residential electricity averaged 14.43¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $3.64 a gallon (Gulf Coast (PADD 3) average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Gulfport-Biloxi, MS metropolitan statistical area (BEA index 90.0) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 2829700 (Gulfport city).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Mississippi residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U South region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- Gasoline price: regional figure (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources