Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Gulfport?

Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Augusta vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Augusta

Georgia

$1,130/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 $1,130 in Augusta, GA versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Augusta, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 13% higher in Augusta, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Augusta, GA

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$784

$958

+22% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$916

$849

+7% in Augusta, GA

2 Bedroom

$1,035

$990

+4% in Augusta, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,230

$1,171

+5% in Augusta, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$162,900

$167,100

+3% in Gulfport, MS

Income

Median Household Income

$53,134

$46,044

+13% in Augusta, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,990

$43,470

+5% in Augusta, GA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

36.7 yr

+1.8 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

50.9%

53.1%

+2.2 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

24.2%

22.3%

+1.9 pp in Augusta, GA

Avg Commute

20.6 min

21.8 min

+1.2 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

546.7

623.5

+14% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,652

3,881.3

+6% 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

65.2°F

67.6°F

+2.4°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

46.5 in

64.7 in

+18.1 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Augusta, GA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.9

+9% in Augusta, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$29.04

+25% in Augusta, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / MS)

+3.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.00%

+1.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Augusta, GA's $1,130, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Gulfport?: Augusta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).