City Comparison

Gulfport vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gulfport

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

Springfield

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

22.4%

Gulfport is 22.4% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Gulfport would need approximately $96,687 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Gulfport
106
Springfield
Groceries
95
Gulfport
104
Springfield
Utilities
99
Gulfport
119
Springfield
Transportation
105
Gulfport
101
Springfield
Healthcare
98
Gulfport
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has the same purchasing power as $96,687 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $58,178 in Gulfport.

Living in Gulfport vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Gulfport's housing index of 55 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $230,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Gulfport compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Gulfport and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Gulfport vs $494/month in Springfield. Gulfport offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Gulfport and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Gulfport vs $476 in Springfield. 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 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,831 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Gulfport, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulfport is 22.4% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Gulfport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,687 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Gulfport's housing index is 55 with median homes at $185,000, while Springfield's is 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases