Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Mesa?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Mesa, AZ's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Mesa?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 42% higher in Mesa, AZ. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,209

+26% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,288

+52% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,458

+47% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,819

+55% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$364,300

+118% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$78,779

+71% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$51,380

+18% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

37.2 yr

+0.5 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

53.1%

64.4%

+11.3 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

31.5%

+9.2 pp in Mesa, AZ

Avg Commute

21.8 min

25.0 min

+3.2 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

486.2

+22% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

1,488

+62% 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

75.1°F

+7.5°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

8.0 in

+56.7 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.21/gal

+44% in Mesa, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.2

+2% in Mesa, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$24.74

+15% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / AZ)

5.6%

+1.4 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

2.50%

+1.5 pp in MS

Gulfport vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Mesa?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Mesa, AZ's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Mesa?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).