City Comparison

Arlington vs Gulfport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Gulfport

Mississippi
83
Very Affordable
$185,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

97.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 97.6%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $37,957 in Gulfport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Arlington
55
Gulfport
Groceries
106
Arlington
95
Gulfport
Utilities
102
Arlington
99
Gulfport
Transportation
107
Arlington
105
Gulfport
Healthcare
117
Arlington
98
Gulfport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $37,957 in Gulfport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $148,193 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Gulfport

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $185,000. The $555,000 difference in home prices means roughly $36,072 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $1,350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $451/month in Gulfport. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 98 in Gulfport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $57,831 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 194 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 97.6% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $37,957 in Gulfport, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Gulfport's is 55 with median homes at $185,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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