Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Tacoma?

Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Tacoma?

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

Gulfport vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Gulfport

Mississippi

$1,030/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Gulfport, MS is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $46,044 in Gulfport, MS and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 45% higher in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$958

$1,178

+23% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,332

+57% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$990

$1,693

+71% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,171

$2,094

+79% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$167,100

$454,600

+172% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$46,044

$83,857

+82% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,470

$72,610

+67% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.7 yr

37.3 yr

+0.6 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

53.1%

56.5%

+3.4 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

22.3%

33.5%

+11.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

21.8 min

29.0 min

+7.2 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

623.5

1,064.4

+71% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,881.3

5,695.2

+47% in Tacoma, 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

52.1°F

+15.5°F in Gulfport, MS

Annual Precipitation

64.7 in

43.0 in

+21.7 in in Gulfport, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$5.26/gal

+45% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

+0% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Gulfport, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Tacoma, WA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Gulfport or Tacoma?: Gulfport, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Gulfport than in Tacoma?: 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 Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Gulfport or Tacoma?: Gulfport is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax); Tacoma 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).