Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Portland?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Portland, ME's $1,650, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $53,000 in Portland.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Portland?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Portland under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Portland Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Portland

Maine

$1,650/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 $1,650 in Portland, ME. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Portland, ME, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $76,174 in Portland, ME — about 40% higher in Portland, ME. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Maine has a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Portland, ME

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,038

+8% in Portland, ME

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,331

+57% in Portland, ME

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,664

+68% in Portland, ME

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,919

+64% in Portland, ME

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$452,600

+171% in Portland, ME

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$76,174

+65% in Portland, ME

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$56,960

+31% in Portland, ME

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

37.5 yr

+0.8 yr in Portland, ME

Homeownership

53.1%

46.7%

+6.4 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

59.2%

+36.9 pp in Portland, ME

Avg Commute

21.8 min

19.9 min

+1.9 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

272.7

+56% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

2,513.3

+35% 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

46.5°F

+21.1°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

47.3 in

+17.4 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Portland, ME

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

29.6

+99% in Portland, ME

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$31.62

+9% in Portland, ME

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Portland, ME

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Portland, ME

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Portland, ME

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Portland, ME

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Portland, ME

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / ME)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

7.15%

+3.2 pp in ME

Gulfport vs Portland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Portland?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Portland, ME's $1,650, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Portland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $53,000 in Portland.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Portland?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Portland under Maine's (a top state income tax rate of 7.15% and a 5.5% 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).