Cost of Living in Gulfport, MS

Population 72,533 · Mississippi · Data vintage 2023

64
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Gulfport's median household income of $46,044 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (24% here). Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.8% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 60 miles northeast of New Orleans, Gulfport is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 44% lower than New Orleans' $296,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 55
Rent 78

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Gulfport

The median home value in Gulfport is $167,100 — 45% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,030/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,044/year is 38% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Mississippi's top state income tax rate is 4.7% and the combined sales tax is 7.1%. The climate averages highs of 77.3°F and lows of 59.4°F. Overall, Gulfport has a cost of living index of 64 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$167,100
45% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$200,110
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,030/mo
22% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,465/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$770
1 BR
$802
2 BR
$933
3 BR
$1,238
4 BR
$1,321
Owner-occupied 53.1%
Renter-occupied 46.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,030
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,644/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
23.3 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.3%
Carpooled
9.9%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
2.7%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
5.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 4.7%
Total Sales Tax 7.1%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.1%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$46,044
38% below avg
Per Capita Income
$28,084
Unemployment Rate
9.8%
104% above avg
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Labor Force Participation
58.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.6%
Graduate degree 8.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.7
Male median age 33.6
Female median age 39.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.3°F
Avg Low
59.4°F
Annual Precip
62.8"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 616570778489909188807064
Low °F 424652586673757571604945
Precip" 4.874.445.225.514.746.897.216.535.183.714.034.49

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
46%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
259
PM2.5 days
102
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

90%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
33
Public schools
21,356
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Gulfport, MS?

Gulfport has a cost index of 64 (100 = national average). It is 36% below the national average.

What is average rent in Gulfport, MS?

The median gross rent in Gulfport is $1,030 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Gulfport?

The median home value in Gulfport is $167,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Gulfport?

The median household income in Gulfport is $46,044 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Gulfport, MS?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gulfport is 7.1%. The Mississippi state income tax top rate is 4.7%.

Is Gulfport, MS affordable?

Yes, Gulfport is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 64 — about 36% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Gulfport?

Gulfport has average high temperatures of 77.3°F and average lows of 59.4°F. Annual precipitation is 62.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Gulfport at a Glance

Population
72,533
Median Income
$46,044
Home Value
$167,100
Median Rent
$1,030/mo
Unemployment
9.8%
Avg High Temp
77.3°F
Sales Tax
7.1%
View all cities in Mississippi →
🗺️ County data for Mississippi

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs