Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Rutland?

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

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Rutland?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$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 Rutland, VT. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 16% higher in Rutland, VT. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$958

$893

+7% in Gulfport, MS

1 Bedroom

$849

$856

+1% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,097

+11% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$1,207

+3% in Rutland, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$176,400

+6% in Rutland, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$55,000

+19% in Rutland, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

48.5 yr

+11.8 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

53.1%

52.7%

+0.4 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

32.2%

+9.9 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

21.8 min

14.7 min

+7.1 min in Gulfport, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

487.8

+22% in Gulfport, MS

Property Crime

3,881.3

3,973.3

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+23.0°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

40.5 in

+24.2 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

24.4

+64% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$26.07

+10% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Rutland, VT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / VT)

+1.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

8.75%

+4.8 pp in VT

Gulfport vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Rutland?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Rutland?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $34,000 in Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Rutland?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).