Living Cost Compare
Grand Rapids

Michigan

$1,200/mo est.

vs
Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,200 in Grand Rapids, MI versus $1,030 in Gulfport, MS. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Grand Rapids, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,526 in Grand Rapids, MI and $46,044 in Gulfport, MS — about 30% higher in Grand Rapids, MI. 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.

Grand Rapids, MI
Gulfport, MS

Rent

Studio
$992
$958
+3% in Grand Rapids, MI
1 Bedroom
$964
$849
+12% in Grand Rapids, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,206
$990
+18% in Grand Rapids, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,421
$1,171
+18% in Grand Rapids, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$225,500
$167,100
+26% in Grand Rapids, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$65,526
$46,044
+30% in Grand Rapids, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,570
$43,470
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.1 yr
36.7 yr
+4.6 yr in Gulfport, MS
Homeownership
54.6%
53.1%
+1.5 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.1%
22.3%
+17.8 pp in Grand Rapids, MI
Avg Commute
19.4 min
21.8 min
+2.4 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
910.1
623.5
+31% in Grand Rapids, MI
Property Crime
2,506.2
3,881.3
+55% 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
49.1°F
67.6°F
+18.5°F in Gulfport, MS
Annual Precipitation
38.3 in
64.7 in
+26.4 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.62/gal
+6% in Grand Rapids, MI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
14.9
+35% in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.75
+5% in Gulfport, MS
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.21
+39% in Grand Rapids, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.45
+5% in Grand Rapids, MI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$1.90
+9% in Grand Rapids, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / MS)
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in MS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
4.00%
+0.3 pp in MI

Grand Rapids vs Gulfport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Grand Rapids or Gulfport?
Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Grand Rapids, MI's $1,200, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Grand Rapids than in Gulfport?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Grand Rapids versus $34,000 in Gulfport.
Which has lower taxes, Grand Rapids or Gulfport?
Grand Rapids 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).