Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Meridian?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Meridian?

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

Gulfport vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 53% higher in Meridian, 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

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,523

+59% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,540

+81% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,489

+50% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,893

+62% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$485,000

+190% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$98,686

+114% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$49,100

+13% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

37.4 yr

+0.7 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

53.1%

76.1%

+23.0 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

44.4%

+22.1 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

21.8 min

22.3 min

+0.5 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

150.3

+76% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

583.5

+85% 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

52.5°F

+15.1°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

11.7 in

+53.0 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Meridian, 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 Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, 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 Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Meridian?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Meridian?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Meridian 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).