City Comparison

Gulfport vs South Bend

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

South Bend

Indiana
80
Very Affordable
$173,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$48,200
Median Income

The Verdict

3.8%

Living in South Bend costs 3.8% less than Gulfport. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gulfport, you would need $72,289 in South Bend.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
50
South Bend
Groceries
95
Gulfport
97
South Bend
Utilities
99
Gulfport
94
South Bend
Transportation
105
Gulfport
102
South Bend
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
88
South Bend

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $72,289 in South Bend.

Conversely, $75,000 in South Bend equals $77,813 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs South Bend

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is higher South Bend's 50, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $173,000. The $12,000 difference in home prices means roughly $780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $900/mo in South Bend, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 97 in South Bend. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $461/month in South Bend. 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 94 in South Bend. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $376 in South Bend. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 98 in Gulfport and 88 in South Bend. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $48,200 in South Bend. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $60,250 respectively. South Bend 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 $1,125/month in South Bend. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In South Bend, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

South Bend is 3.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 83.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,289 in South Bend, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while South Bend's is 50 with median homes at $173,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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