Gulfport vs Providence
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gulfport
Providence
The Verdict
Gulfport is 24.5% less expensive than Providence overall. A household earning $75,000 in Gulfport would need approximately $99,398 in Providence to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $99,398 in Providence.
Conversely, $75,000 in Providence equals $56,591 in Gulfport.
Living in Gulfport vs Providence
Housing Costs
Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Providence's 118, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $310,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,500/mo in Providence, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 105 in Providence. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $499/month in Providence. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 119 in Providence. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $476 in Providence. 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 112 in Providence. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $47,012 in Providence. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $42,738 respectively. Gulfport residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,120/month to housing in Gulfport vs $1,097/month in Providence. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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