Living Cost Compare
Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

vs
Providence

Rhode Island

$1,330/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 $1,330 in Providence, RI. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 31% higher in Providence, RI. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS
Providence, RI

Rent

Studio
$958
$1,116
+16% in Providence, RI
1 Bedroom
$849
$1,030
+21% in Providence, RI
2 Bedroom
$990
$1,323
+34% in Providence, RI
3 Bedroom
$1,171
$1,627
+39% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$167,100
$322,800
+93% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income
$46,044
$66,772
+45% in Providence, RI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$43,470
$53,680
+23% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.7 yr
32.9 yr
+3.8 yr in Gulfport, MS
Homeownership
53.1%
41.2%
+11.9 pp in Gulfport, MS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
22.3%
34.7%
+12.4 pp in Providence, RI
Avg Commute
21.8 min
25.0 min
+3.2 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
623.5
282.4
+55% in Gulfport, MS
Property Crime
3,881.3
1,665.6
+57% 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
51.6°F
+16.0°F in Gulfport, MS
Annual Precipitation
64.7 in
47.2 in
+17.5 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.94/gal
+9% in Providence, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.9
29.2
+96% in Providence, RI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.04
$25.75
+11% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Providence, RI
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in Providence, RI
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Gulfport, MS
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in Providence, RI
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in Providence, RI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / RI)
7%
7%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
4.00%
5.99%
+2.0 pp in RI

Gulfport vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Providence?
Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Providence, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Providence?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Providence?
Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).