City Comparison

Gulfport vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

2.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.5%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to $73,193 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
57
Roanoke
Groceries
95
Gulfport
97
Roanoke
Utilities
99
Gulfport
116
Roanoke
Transportation
105
Gulfport
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $73,193 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $76,852 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $225,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,000 in Gulfport and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 2.5% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 83.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,193 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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