Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Hilo?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $39,000 in Hilo.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Hilo?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Hilo Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Hilo

Hawaii

$1,550/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Gulfport, MS versus $1,550 in Hilo, HI. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Hilo, HI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $78,713 in Hilo, HI — about 42% higher in Hilo, HI. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Hawaii has a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Hilo, HI

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,180

+23% in Hilo, HI

1 Bedroom

$849

$964

+14% in Hilo, HI

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,283

+30% in Hilo, HI

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,587

+36% in Hilo, HI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$455,100

+172% in Hilo, HI

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$78,713

+71% in Hilo, HI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$51,820

+19% in Hilo, HI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

42.6 yr

+5.9 yr in Hilo, HI

Homeownership

53.1%

65.5%

+12.4 pp in Hilo, HI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

34.0%

+11.7 pp in Hilo, HI

Avg Commute

21.8 min

20.1 min

+1.7 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

245.4

+61% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

2,043.9

+47% 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

67.6°F

73.9°F

+6.3°F in Hilo, HI

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

126.7 in

+62.0 in in Hilo, HI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.21/gal

+44% in Hilo, HI

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

52.7

+254% in Hilo, HI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$66.84

+130% in Hilo, HI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Hilo, HI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Hilo, HI

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Hilo, HI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Hilo, HI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Hilo, HI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / HI)

+3.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

11.00%

+7.0 pp in HI

Gulfport vs Hilo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Hilo?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Hilo, HI's $1,550, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Hilo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $39,000 in Hilo.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Hilo?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Hilo under Hawaii's (a top state income tax rate of 11.00% and a 4% 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).