Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Gulfport?

Columbus 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).

Columbus vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Ohio

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Columbus, OH versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,327 in Columbus, OH and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 30% higher in Columbus, 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.

Columbus, OH

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$1,014

$958

+6% in Columbus, OH

1 Bedroom

$1,059

$849

+20% in Columbus, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,276

$990

+22% in Columbus, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,369

$1,171

+14% in Columbus, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$234,500

$167,100

+29% in Columbus, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$65,327

$46,044

+30% in Columbus, OH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,340

$43,470

+15% in Columbus, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

36.7 yr

+3.7 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

44.3%

53.1%

+8.8 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

38.2%

22.3%

+15.9 pp in Columbus, OH

Avg Commute

21.8 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

485.2

623.5

+29% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,093.9

3,881.3

+25% 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

40.1 in

64.7 in

+24.6 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.62/gal

+5% in Columbus, OH

Area: Ohio vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

14.9

+22% in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Gulfport, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Columbus, OH

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Columbus, OH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Columbus, 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

Columbus vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Columbus, OH's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Columbus versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Gulfport?: Columbus 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).