Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Gulfport?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).

Chicago vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 39% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$958

+19% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$849

+33% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$990

+30% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,171

+25% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$167,100

+47% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$46,044

+39% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$43,470

+21% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

36.7 yr

+1.0 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

45.5%

53.1%

+7.6 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

22.3%

+21.0 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

21.8 min

+11.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

623.5

+16% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,881.3

+11% 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

52.7°F

67.6°F

+14.9°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

64.7 in

+26.7 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — CTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

14.9

+25% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$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 Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Gulfport, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / MS)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.00%

+1.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Gulfport?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% 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).