City Comparison
Biloxi vs Columbus
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Biloxi scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Biloxi
Columbus
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Columbus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Biloxi.
Housing costs are a major driver: Biloxi's average rent is
36% higher than Columbus's.
| Metric | Biloxi | Columbus | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $848 | +36% |
| Groceries | $380 | $350 | +9% |
| Utilities | $170 | $160 | +6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,030 | $1,678 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Biloxi offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Biloxi delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Biloxi is estimated at
$45,000 vs $35,000 in Columbus.
| Metric | Biloxi | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $35,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,227 idx | 56,471 idx |
| Household Income | $55,800 | $42,235 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Columbus comes out ahead with 28 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Biloxi sees 0.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Biloxi | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 69.00°F | 65.70°F |
| Summer High | 88.30°F | 89.60°F |
| Winter Low | 45.00°F | 37.40°F |
| Rainfall | 61.80 in | 54.90 in |
| Snowfall | 3.00 in | 2.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 221 | 249 |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Biloxi scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Biloxi leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Biloxi | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Biloxi is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Columbus.
From a growth perspective, Biloxi is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Biloxi has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Biloxi | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,200 | 23,348 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Biloxi
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Abundant recreational opportunities, including miles of public white-sand beaches and world-class Gulf fishing.
Strong economic anchor provided by Keesler Air Force Base and a thriving coastal tourism and gaming industry.
Rich cultural heritage, featuring distinct local cuisine, historic sites, and vibrant community festivals.
Warm subtropical climate offering mild winters and abundant sunshine throughout the year.
Drawbacks
Vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes requires ongoing preparedness and higher insurance costs.
High summer humidity and temperatures can make prolonged outdoor activities uncomfortable.
Economy has a high concentration in hospitality and tourism, which can be sensitive to broader economic shifts.
Public transportation options are limited, necessitating a personal vehicle for most daily errands.
Property insurance rates along the Gulf Coast can be elevated due to weather-related risks.
Columbus
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $848 is significantly lower than the national average per Apartments.com 2026 data.
Home to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, offering robust regional healthcare access.
Rich historical heritage featuring dozens of preserved antebellum homes and vibrant cultural events.
Short average commute times of roughly 19 to 21 minutes per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Strategic location within the growing Golden Triangle economic development zone.
Drawbacks
Median household income of $42,235 trails well behind national benchmarks per Census Bureau figures.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit options.
Poverty rate of approximately 21.3% presents ongoing socioeconomic challenges for the municipality.
Limited walkability scores outside of specific historic downtown zones.
Vulnerability to humid subtropical summer climate extremes with high seasonal temperatures.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Biloxi
#330Mississippi, USA
60.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
221/yr
Avg Temp
69.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
73
Business
66
Columbus
#366Mississippi, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$848
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
25.0/100
Walkability
35.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
65.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
67
Business
64
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