Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Seattle?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Seattle?

Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Gulfport vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/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 $2,030 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 49% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 62% higher in Seattle, WA. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Gulfport, MS

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,638

+71% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,858

+119% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$990

$2,359

+138% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$2,918

+149% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$912,100

+446% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$121,984

+165% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$72,610

+67% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

35.5 yr

+1.2 yr in Gulfport, MS

Homeownership

53.1%

44.2%

+8.9 pp in Gulfport, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

67.5%

+45.2 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

21.8 min

26.6 min

+4.8 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

788.6

+26% in Seattle, WA

Property Crime

3,881.3

5,108.8

+32% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+14.1°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

37.7 in

+27.0 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.41/gal

+50% in Seattle, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

+0% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$21.34

+27% in Gulfport, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MS / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

None

+4.0 pp in MS

Gulfport vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Seattle?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 49% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Gulfport versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Seattle?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).