City Comparison

Gulfport vs Portland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Portland

Maine
117
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$56,895
Median Income

The Verdict

29.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 29.1%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to $105,723 in Portland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
137
Portland
Groceries
95
Gulfport
107
Portland
Utilities
99
Gulfport
111
Portland
Transportation
105
Gulfport
98
Portland
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
110
Portland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $105,723 in Portland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $53,205 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Portland

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $395,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $508/month in Portland. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $444 in Portland. 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 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $48,628 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 $1,328/month in Portland. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 29.1% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $105,723 in Portland, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Portland's is 137 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases