Gulfport is a mid-sized city of 72,524 in Mississippi, with a median household income of $43,499
and a 11.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Gulfport stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Gulfport is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Gulfport city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.3
Gulfport's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Gulfport costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Gulfport, MS
National Avg
Median Home Value
$158,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$988
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
51.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$43,499
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Gulfport's violent crime rate is 38.4 per 100,000 residents
— 90% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
38.4 /100k
Property Crime
514.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Gulfport is served primarily by Gulfport School District.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Gulfport, MS
National Avg
School District
Gulfport School District
—
Elementary Schools
6
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
22.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
87.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Gulfport sees average highs of 61.3°F in January
and 90.4°F in July,
with 62.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Gulfport's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Gulfport roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $158,300 and median rent is $988/month.
Gulfport's violent crime rate is 38.4 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 514.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Gulfport are operated by Gulfport School District.
The district has 6 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.6:1. 22.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Gulfport, MS has a population of 72,524, a median household income of $43,499, and an unemployment rate of 11.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Gulfport averages 61.3°F in January and 90.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 62.8 inches
with about 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Gulfport, MS is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 39503, 39501, 39507.
The population of Gulfport, Mississippi is 72,524 with a median age of 36.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Gulfport: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $158,300, median household income $43,499, crime index 16 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Gulfport side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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