Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Gulfport?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 43% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$958

+6% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$849

+25% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$990

+26% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,171

+33% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$167,100

+63% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$46,044

+43% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$43,470

+11% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.7 yr

+1.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

53.1%

+9.9 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

22.3%

+24.3 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

21.8 min

+2.7 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

623.5

+107% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,881.3

+242% 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

52.5°F

67.6°F

+15.1°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

64.7 in

+53.0 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

14.9

+4% in Gulfport, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$29.04

+156% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.00%

+1.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Gulfport?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).