Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Gulfport?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $34,000 in Gulfport.

Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Gulfport?

Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Cranston vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Cranston, RI versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cranston, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,716 in Cranston, RI and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 48% higher in Cranston, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Cranston, RI

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

—

$958

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$849

+18% in Cranston, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,438

$990

+31% in Cranston, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,688

$1,171

+31% in Cranston, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$348,800

$167,100

+52% in Cranston, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$87,716

$46,044

+48% in Cranston, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$43,470

+19% in Cranston, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

36.7 yr

+3.4 yr in Cranston, RI

Homeownership

67.3%

53.1%

+14.2 pp in Cranston, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.8%

22.3%

+13.5 pp in Cranston, RI

Avg Commute

23.8 min

21.8 min

+2.0 min in Cranston, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

93.1

623.5

+570% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

1,065.4

3,881.3

+264% 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

51.6°F

67.6°F

+16.0°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

64.7 in

+17.5 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Cranston, RI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

14.9

+49% in Cranston, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$29.04

+13% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Cranston, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Cranston, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Cranston, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Cranston, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Cranston, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / MS)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

4.00%

+2.0 pp in RI

Cranston vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cranston or Gulfport?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Cranston, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cranston than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Cranston versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Cranston or Gulfport?: Cranston is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).