Dayton vs Gulfport
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Gulfport
The Verdict
Living in Dayton costs 3.6% less than Gulfport. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Dayton, you would need $77,813 in Gulfport.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $77,813 in Gulfport.
Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $72,289 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Gulfport
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $185,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 98 in Gulfport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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