Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Gulfport?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Gulfport?

Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Ann Arbor vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 43% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,274

$958

+25% in Ann Arbor, MI

1 Bedroom

$1,389

$849

+39% in Ann Arbor, MI

2 Bedroom

$1,692

$990

+41% in Ann Arbor, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,812

$1,171

+35% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,100

$167,100

+62% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income

$81,089

$46,044

+43% in Ann Arbor, MI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,380

$43,470

+22% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.7 yr

36.7 yr

+9.0 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

45.6%

53.1%

+7.5 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

77.7%

22.3%

+55.4 pp in Ann Arbor, MI

Avg Commute

19.9 min

21.8 min

+1.9 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

311

623.5

+100% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

1,744.5

3,881.3

+122% in Gulfport, MS

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

47.7°F

67.6°F

+19.9°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

32.8 in

64.7 in

+31.9 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Ann Arbor, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

14.9

+35% in Ann Arbor, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$29.04

+47% in Gulfport, MS

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Ann Arbor, MI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Gulfport, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Ann Arbor, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Ann Arbor, MI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Ann Arbor, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

4.00%

+0.3 pp in MI

Ann Arbor vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Gulfport?: Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).