City Comparison

Gulfport vs Harrisburg

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$145,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$46,200
Median Income

The Verdict

7.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.8%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to $81,325 in Harrisburg.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
65
Harrisburg
Groceries
95
Gulfport
96
Harrisburg
Utilities
99
Gulfport
102
Harrisburg
Transportation
105
Gulfport
102
Harrisburg
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
84
Harrisburg

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $81,325 in Harrisburg.

Conversely, $75,000 in Harrisburg equals $69,167 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Harrisburg

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Harrisburg's 65, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $145,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,100/mo in Harrisburg, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 96 in Harrisburg. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $456/month in Harrisburg. 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 99 in Gulfport and 102 in Harrisburg. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $408 in Harrisburg. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 98 in Gulfport and 84 in Harrisburg. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,000 in Gulfport and $46,200 in Harrisburg. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $51,333 respectively. Gulfport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Gulfport vs $1,078/month in Harrisburg. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Harrisburg, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 7.8% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,325 in Harrisburg, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Harrisburg's is 65 with median homes at $145,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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