Gulfport, FL vs Madeira Beach, FL

The cost of living difference between Gulfport, FL and Madeira Beach, FL is dramatic. Gulfport is 30.5% cheaper than Madeira Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gulfport has a cost index of 108 while Madeira Beach sits at 156, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gulfport is $1,487/month compared to $2,080/month in Madeira Beach — a 29% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gulfport is more affordable at $335,100 median vs $696,400.

Median household income in Gulfport is $68,617 compared to $79,798 in Madeira Beach (-14%). Madeira Beach does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Gulfport spend roughly 26% of their income on rent, less than the 31.3% in Madeira Beach. The Gulfport ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (74.7°F vs 73.9°F). Madeira Beach receives more rainfall at 53.6" per year compared to 46.7" in Gulfport.