Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Gulfport?

They're close. Cincinnati, OH runs about $1,030 a month and Gulfport, MS about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Gulfport?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 11% higher in Cincinnati, OH. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$791

$958

+21% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$817

$849

+4% in Gulfport, MS

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$990

+3% in Cincinnati, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,171

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$167,100

+22% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$46,044

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$43,470

+13% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

36.7 yr

+3.7 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

38.9%

53.1%

+14.2 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

22.3%

+19.0 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

21.8 min

+1.3 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

623.5

+27% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

3,881.3

+0% 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

54.3°F

67.6°F

+13.3°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

64.7 in

+22.7 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.62/gal

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

14.9

+22% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$29.04

+27% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Gulfport, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Cincinnati, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Cincinnati, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Cincinnati, OH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OH / MS)

5.75%

+1.3 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

4.00%

+1.3 pp in MS

Cincinnati vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Gulfport?: They're close. Cincinnati, OH runs about $1,030 a month and Gulfport, MS about $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Gulfport?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).