Birmingham vs Gulfport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Birmingham
Gulfport
The Verdict
Gulfport is 4.8% less expensive than Birmingham overall. A household earning $75,000 in Birmingham would need approximately $71,552 in Gulfport to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Birmingham has the same purchasing power as $71,552 in Gulfport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $78,614 in Birmingham.
Living in Birmingham vs Gulfport
Housing Costs
Birmingham's housing index of 67 is higher Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $185,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Birmingham compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Birmingham and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Birmingham vs $451/month in Gulfport. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Birmingham and 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Birmingham vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Birmingham and 98 in Gulfport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $38,178 in Birmingham and $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,883 and $57,831 respectively. Gulfport residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $891/month to housing in Birmingham vs $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Birmingham, median rent of $1,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases