Gulfport vs Lowell
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gulfport
Lowell
The Verdict
Living in Gulfport costs 36.6% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gulfport, you would need $118,373 in Lowell.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $118,373 in Lowell.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $47,519 in Gulfport.
Living in Gulfport vs Lowell
Housing Costs
Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $429,000. The $244,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,864 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $925.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $494/month in Lowell. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $604 in Lowell. 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 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $60,840 respectively. Lowell 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 $1,860/month in Lowell. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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