Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Gulfport?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Gulfport, MS's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Gulfport?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Gulfport under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Detroit vs Gulfport Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$990/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 $990 in Detroit, MI versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Gulfport, MS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 14% higher in Gulfport, MS. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio

$801

$958

+20% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$752

$849

+13% in Gulfport, MS

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$990

+1% in Detroit, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,171

+2% in Detroit, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$167,100

+118% in Gulfport, MS

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$46,044

+16% in Gulfport, MS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$43,470

+17% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

36.7 yr

+1.6 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

49.7%

53.1%

+3.4 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

22.3%

+4.7 pp in Gulfport, MS

Avg Commute

25.4 min

21.8 min

+3.6 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

623.5

+65% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

3,881.3

+12% in Detroit, MI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.3°F

67.6°F

+17.3°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

64.7 in

+33.4 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.62/gal

+6% in Detroit, MI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.0

14.9

+35% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.72

$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 Detroit, MI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Gulfport, MS

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Detroit, MI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / MS)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

4.00%

+0.3 pp in MI

Detroit vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Gulfport?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Gulfport, MS's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Gulfport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Gulfport?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% 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).