City Comparison

Gulfport vs Kent

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Kent

Washington
137
Expensive
$595,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$98,300
Median Income

The Verdict

39.4%

Living in Gulfport costs 39.4% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gulfport, you would need $123,795 in Kent.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
195
Kent
Groceries
95
Gulfport
109
Kent
Utilities
99
Gulfport
92
Kent
Transportation
105
Gulfport
117
Kent
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
122
Kent

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $123,795 in Kent.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $45,438 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Kent

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $595,000. The $410,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $518/month in Kent. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 98 in Gulfport and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $71,752 respectively. Kent residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Gulfport vs $2,294/month in Kent. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 140 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 39.4% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 137.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $123,795 in Kent, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Kent's is 195 with median homes at $595,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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