Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Memphis?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Memphis?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 10% higher in Memphis, TN. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$958

$877

+8% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$849

$948

+12% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,073

+8% in Memphis, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,281

+9% in Memphis, TN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$157,100

+6% in Gulfport, MS

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$51,211

+11% in Memphis, TN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$46,890

+8% in Memphis, TN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

34.3 yr

+2.4 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

53.1%

46.0%

+7.1 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

28.2%

+5.9 pp in Memphis, TN

Avg Commute

21.8 min

21.3 min

+0.5 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

2,507.6

+302% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

3,881.3

6,966.3

+79% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+4.5°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

53.7 in

+11.0 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Memphis, TN

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

14.1

+5% in Gulfport, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$19.75

+32% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.75

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / TN)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Gulfport vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Memphis?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Memphis?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax 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).