City Comparison
Columbus vs Gulfport
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Columbus scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Columbus
Gulfport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Columbus is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Gulfport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Columbus's average rent is
32% lower than Gulfport's.
| Metric | Columbus | Gulfport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $848 | $1,250 | -32% |
| Groceries | $350 | $380 | -8% |
| Utilities | $160 | $170 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $230 | -9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,678 | $2,140 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Gulfport offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Gulfport delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Columbus is estimated at
$35,000 vs $45,000 in Gulfport.
| Metric | Columbus | Gulfport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $35,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,471 idx | 60,465 idx |
| Household Income | $42,235 | $53,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Columbus comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Gulfport sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Columbus | Gulfport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.70°F | 68.90°F |
| Summer High | 89.60°F | 87.10°F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | 46.10°F |
| Rainfall | 54.90 in | 56.60 in |
| Snowfall | 2.70 in | 3.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | 227 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Gulfport scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Gulfport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Columbus | Gulfport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gulfport is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Columbus.
From a growth perspective, Gulfport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gulfport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Columbus | Gulfport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,348 | 72,926 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 41.1 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Gulfport
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly lower than the US national average per census data.
Abundant access to coastal recreation, including public beaches, fishing charters, and boating opportunities.
Strategic location along the Gulf Coast with a major international shipping port driving regional employment.
Mild winter temperatures and plenty of sunny days throughout the year.
Rich local culinary scene highlighting fresh Gulf seafood and traditional Southern cuisine.
Drawbacks
Vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Higher than average humidity levels during the extended summer months.
Limited public mass transit options, resulting in high car dependency.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates.
Local wages and median household incomes trail behind national averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Gulfport
#407Mississippi, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
86
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
227/yr
Avg Temp
68.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
73
Business
67
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Columbus and Gulfport.
Open Cost Calculator