Charleston vs Gulfport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Charleston
Gulfport
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 32.5%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Charleston has equivalent purchasing power to $56,591 in Gulfport.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Charleston has the same purchasing power as $56,591 in Gulfport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $99,398 in Charleston.
Living in Charleston vs Gulfport
Housing Costs
Charleston's housing index of 127 is higher Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $185,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Charleston compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $600.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Charleston and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Charleston vs $451/month in Gulfport. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Charleston and 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Charleston vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Charleston 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 $65,872 in Charleston and $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,884 and $57,831 respectively. Charleston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,537/month to housing in Charleston vs $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Charleston, median rent of $1,600/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 72 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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