Median rent is 44% lower in Gulfport ($1,086/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Gulfport, where the median home runs $174,600 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $49,919 a year). Taken together, Gulfport is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.3 against 114.7 — about 15% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Los Angeles, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Gulfport is 15% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.3 in Gulfport vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Gulfport, MS
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Gulfport, MS?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$88,443
You'd need $13,443 more (18% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Gulfport
Mississippi
Los Angeles
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Gulfport — median rent of $1,086/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 44% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $174,600 in Gulfport — 81% more expensive.
Metric
Gulfport
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Gulfport
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Gulfport.
Pick Gulfport if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.3 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick Gulfport if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,086/mo median).
Gulfport is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.3 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 15% lower in Gulfport.
Median rent is $1,086/mo in Gulfport, MS and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Gulfport, MS has the lower rent by about 44%.
Median household income is $49,919 in Gulfport, MS and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Gulfport, MS is equivalent to roughly $117,924 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
