City Comparison

Gulfport vs New Bedford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

New Bedford

Massachusetts
112
Above Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$57,000
Median Income

The Verdict

25.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.9%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to $101,205 in New Bedford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
116
New Bedford
Groceries
95
Gulfport
104
New Bedford
Utilities
99
Gulfport
145
New Bedford
Transportation
105
Gulfport
108
New Bedford
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
118
New Bedford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $101,205 in New Bedford.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Bedford equals $55,580 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs New Bedford

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower New Bedford's 116, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $371,000. The $186,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,225/mo in New Bedford, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 104 in New Bedford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $494/month in New Bedford. 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 145 in New Bedford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $580 in New Bedford. 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 New Bedford. 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 $57,000 in New Bedford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $50,893 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 $1,330/month in New Bedford. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In New Bedford, median rent of $1,225/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 25.9% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,205 in New Bedford, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while New Bedford's is 116 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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