Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Newark?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Newark?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,230/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 $1,230 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 5% higher in Newark, NJ. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,111

+16% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$849

$978

+15% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,386

+40% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,695

+45% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$337,800

+102% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$48,416

+5% in Newark, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$61,430

+41% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

34.8 yr

+1.9 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

53.1%

24.1%

+29.0 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

17.4%

+4.9 pp in Gulfport, MS

Avg Commute

21.8 min

33.2 min

+11.4 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

582.5

+7% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

1,961.8

+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

54.9°F

+12.7°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

46.3 in

+18.4 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Newark, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

24.9

+68% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$17.68

+39% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Newark, NJ

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / NJ)

6.625%

+0.4 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

10.75%

+6.8 pp in NJ

Gulfport vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Newark?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Newark, NJ's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Newark?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).