Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Morgantown?

Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Gulfport, MS's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $31,000 in Morgantown.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Morgantown?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Morgantown Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Morgantown

West Virginia

$950/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 $950 in Morgantown, WV. Overall, Morgantown, WV is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Gulfport, MS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $42,245 in Morgantown, WV — about 8% higher in Gulfport, MS. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Morgantown, WV

Rent

Studio

$958

$836

+13% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$849

$770

+9% in Gulfport, MS

2 Bedroom

$990

$969

+2% in Gulfport, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,038

+11% in Gulfport, MS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$238,200

+43% in Morgantown, WV

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$42,245

+8% in Gulfport, MS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$47,350

+9% in Morgantown, WV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

24.0 yr

+12.7 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

53.1%

44.3%

+8.8 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

58.1%

+35.8 pp in Morgantown, WV

Avg Commute

21.8 min

17.3 min

+4.5 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

216.3

+65% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

1,976.4

+49% 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

53.0°F

+14.6°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

41.8 in

+22.9 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Morgantown, WV

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.4

+4% in Morgantown, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$24.68

+15% 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 / WV)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

4.82%

+0.8 pp in WV

Gulfport vs Morgantown — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Morgantown?: Morgantown, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Gulfport, MS's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Morgantown?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $31,000 in Morgantown.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Morgantown?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Morgantown under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).