Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Provo?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Provo?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 27% higher in Provo, UT. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,009

+5% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$849

$978

+15% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,128

+14% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,381

+18% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$437,100

+162% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$62,800

+36% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$48,010

+10% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

23.7 yr

+13.0 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

53.1%

39.9%

+13.2 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

45.0%

+22.7 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

21.8 min

18.5 min

+3.3 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

205.7

+67% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

1,280.6

+67% 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

53.4°F

+14.2°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

19.8 in

+44.9 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$4.27/gal

+18% in Provo, UT

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

13.4

+10% in Gulfport, MS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$11.84

+59% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / UT)

6.1%

+0.9 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

4.50%

+0.5 pp in UT

Gulfport vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Provo?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Provo?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).