City Comparison

Gulfport vs Jersey City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Jersey City

New Jersey
162
Very Expensive
$540,000
Median Home
$2,600/mo
Median Rent
$80,820
Median Income

The Verdict

48.8%

Living in Gulfport costs 48.8% less than Jersey City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gulfport, you would need $146,386 in Jersey City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
249
Jersey City
Groceries
95
Gulfport
105
Jersey City
Utilities
99
Gulfport
128
Jersey City
Transportation
105
Gulfport
121
Jersey City
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
106
Jersey City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $146,386 in Jersey City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Jersey City equals $38,426 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Jersey City

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Jersey City's 249, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $540,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $2,600/mo in Jersey City, a monthly difference of $1,600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 105 in Jersey City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $499/month in Jersey City. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 128 in Jersey City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $512 in Jersey City. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 98 in Gulfport and 106 in Jersey City. 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 $48,000 in Gulfport and $80,820 in Jersey City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $49,889 respectively. Gulfport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Gulfport vs $1,886/month in Jersey City. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Jersey City, median rent of $2,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 194 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 48.8% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 162.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $146,386 in Jersey City, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Jersey City's is 249 with median homes at $540,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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