Median rent is 1% lower in El Paso ($1,073/mo vs $1,086/mo). Buying is cheaper in Gulfport, where the median home runs $174,600 versus $184,500. Households earn more in El Paso ($59,745 vs $49,919 a year). Taken together, Gulfport is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 97.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in El Paso, TX.
City A
El Paso, TX
City B
Gulfport, MS
How much would you need to earn in Gulfport, MS to maintain your standard of living from El Paso, TX?
Equivalent salary in Gulfport, MS
$74,970
You could earn $30 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
El Paso
Texas
Gulfport
Mississippi
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,073/mo in El Paso and $1,086/mo in Gulfport. Median home values are within 5% of each other: $184,500 in El Paso and $174,600 in Gulfport.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
El Paso
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Gulfport
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for El Paso (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for Gulfport.
Pick El Paso if you prioritize higher median household income ($59,745/yr).
Is El Paso cheaper than Gulfport?
Gulfport is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Gulfport.
How much is rent in El Paso vs Gulfport?
Median rent is $1,073/mo in El Paso, TX and $1,086/mo in Gulfport, MS. El Paso, TX has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — El Paso or Gulfport?
Median household income is $59,745 in El Paso, TX and $49,919 in Gulfport, MS. El Paso, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — El Paso or Gulfport?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Gulfport to match my El Paso income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in El Paso, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,960 in Gulfport, MS (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
