City Comparison

Gulfport vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

5.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 5.1%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to $71,386 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
49
Montgomery
Groceries
95
Gulfport
99
Montgomery
Utilities
99
Gulfport
115
Montgomery
Transportation
105
Gulfport
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $71,386 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $78,797 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $162,000. The $23,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. 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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 5.1% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 83.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,386 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases