Gulfport vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gulfport
Rochester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.7%, with Gulfport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to $84,940 in Rochester.
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 $84,940 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $66,223 in Gulfport.
Living in Gulfport vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $345,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $489/month in Rochester. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Gulfport and 104 in Rochester. 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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases