Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Gulfport, MS's $1,030, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Idaho Falls?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/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 $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Gulfport, MS, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 34% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$958

$818

+15% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$849

$827

+3% in Gulfport, MS

2 Bedroom

$990

$957

+3% in Gulfport, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,278

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$298,600

+79% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$69,630

+51% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$46,800

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

33.5 yr

+3.2 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

53.1%

64.1%

+11.0 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

31.0%

+8.7 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Avg Commute

21.8 min

18.2 min

+3.6 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

365.3

+41% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

1,235.5

+68% 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

44.2°F

+23.4°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

10.4 in

+54.3 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

14.4

+3% in Gulfport, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$11.33

+61% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / ID)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.30%

+1.3 pp in ID

Gulfport vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Gulfport, MS's $1,030, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Idaho Falls?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).