City Comparison

Durham vs Gulfport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Durham

North Carolina
101
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$57,738
Median Income

Gulfport

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

The Verdict

21.7%

Living in Gulfport costs 21.7% less than Durham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Durham, you would need $61,634 in Gulfport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Durham
55
Gulfport
Groceries
100
Durham
95
Gulfport
Utilities
93
Durham
99
Gulfport
Transportation
100
Durham
105
Gulfport
Healthcare
108
Durham
98
Gulfport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $61,634 in Gulfport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gulfport equals $91,265 in Durham.

Living in Durham vs Gulfport

Housing Costs

Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Gulfport's 55, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $185,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,000/mo in Gulfport, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 95 in Gulfport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham 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 93 in Durham and 99 in Gulfport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $396 in Gulfport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 98 in Gulfport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,738 in Durham and $48,000 in Gulfport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 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 $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $1,120/month in Gulfport. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/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 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 21.7% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,634 in Gulfport, based on the cost of living difference.
Durham's housing index is 104 with median homes at $340,000, while Gulfport's is 55 with median homes at $185,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases