Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Gulfport?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Boston vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 51% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$958

+49% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$849

+57% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$990

+54% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,171

+48% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$167,100

+76% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$46,044

+51% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$43,470

+35% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

36.7 yr

+3.5 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

35.4%

53.1%

+17.7 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

22.3%

+31.8 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

21.8 min

+8.4 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

623.5

+1% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

3,881.3

+91% 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

51.5°F

67.6°F

+16.1°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

64.7 in

+20.9 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$3.62/gal

+11% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.9

+50% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$29.04

+5% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Boston, MA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / MS)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.00%

+5.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Gulfport?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).