2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Gulfport

Mississippi (MS)
Best for: Buyers seeking lower purchase costs and Gulf Coast recreation
Gulfport MS 2027 livability
Small City
2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents
Modern Livability67.8/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population76,506
Median Home$174,600
Median Rent$1,086
Median Household Income$49,919
Cost of LivingRPP 90.0 (US=100; BEA 2024; metro area)
Average Commute21.9 min (ACS 2020-2024)
Unemployment9.1% (ACS 2020-2024; civilian labor force)
Metro AreaGulfport-Biloxi, MS
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

67.8overall
Housing & Financial Reality87.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living85.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability55.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity57.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness69.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place73.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion58.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape74.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging73.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment48.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture66.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity64.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionACS average one-way commute: 21.9 minutes (2020-2024, excluding workers at home). Workplace location and departure time still determine individual travel. This is a commute measure, not a live traffic-delay index.
Weekend EscapeJones Park provides waterfront public space and recreation near central Gulfport. Regional trips depend on travel time and seasonal conditions.
WalkabilityCitywide Walk Score 23/100 (directory checked October 2026). Many errands require a car; selected centers may be more walkable.
Airport AccessGulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) is a regional air-travel option. Check the airport for current destinations; no drive-time estimate is assumed.
Outdoor AccessJones Park provides waterfront public space and recreation near central Gulfport.
Healthcare AccessMemorial Hospital at Gulfport provides a local or nearby hospital option. Check insurance networks, service availability and specialist access individually.
Air QualityAir quality changes by day and season. Check AirNow for local ozone and fine-particle conditions, particularly during heat or smoke events; no citywide annual AQI rating is assigned here.
Third Places / Social LifeGulfport's parks and recreation facilities provide public gathering spaces. A coastal city with an established center and spread-out residential neighborhoods. The mix of libraries, cafes and community activities varies by neighborhood.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Growing: +2.2% population change from 2024 to 2025 (same Census vintage). This describes population only, not a forecast.
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Gulfport has 76,506 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate and is #503 in the incorporated-place population ranking used for this batch. The ACS 2020-2024 estimates report a median owner-occupied home value of $174,600, median monthly gross rent of $1,086, and median household income of $49,919. These are survey-period estimates, not current listings or asking rents. Jones Park provides waterfront public space and recreation near central Gulfport. Livability scores are provisional editorial assessments for review, not official Census ratings.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

A coastal city with an established center and spread-out residential neighborhoods.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Median home value below four times median household income; Relatively short average commute; Regional price level below the U.S. benchmark; Access to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport; Jones Park provides waterfront public space and recreation near central Gulfport.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Heat, humidity and hurricane exposure; assess flood conditions and insurance by property.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Gulfport ranks