In-depth analysis

Should you buy an STR in Gulfport in 2026?

Yes, selectively. Gulfport is the larger, less casino-centric, more residential half of the Mississippi Gulf Coast metro. $189 ADR at 58% occupancy is competitive, and the 74/100 market score holds up. Demand here leans toward family leisure, military (Keesler AFB-adjacent), and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport business travel. The same flood and wind issues that shape Biloxi apply, but Gulfport’s higher elevation in some neighborhoods materially lowers insurance.

Regulation: where the city stands

City of Gulfport — STR allowed; registration and lodging tax remittance required.
Harrison County (unincorporated) — permissive.
Mississippi Wind Pool — state-backed windstorm market available where private won’t bind.
Tourist development tax — collected county-wide.

See the City of Gulfport STR ordinance for current rules.

The market by the numbers

Metric	Gulfport	Notes
Avg ADR	$189	Slightly above Biloxi
Occupancy	58%	Family-leisure pattern
RevPAR	$110	Solid
Market score	74/100	Tier-C saturation = room
Saturation tier	C	Genuinely less crowded

Submarkets that matter

East Beach / US-90 corridor — beachfront condo and SFR; highest ADR.
Downtown Gulfport / Centennial Plaza — emerging redevelopment; lower ADR.
Lyman / Orange Grove (north Gulfport) — quieter SFR; lower insurance.
Long Beach edge — adjacent municipality; similar economics.

The 3 mistakes buyers make here

Lumping Gulfport with Biloxi. Different demand drivers (family + business vs. casino). Comp within the right city.
Skipping the FEMA flood map. Post-Katrina flood zone redraws still affect coastal Gulfport. Pull the elevation certificate.
Ignoring wind pool dependency. As in Biloxi, many properties require MS Wind Pool windstorm coverage.

What to do next

Pull the FEMA elevation certificate before EMD goes hard.
Get a bound STR + wind + flood insurance quote and use it in DSCR Loan Calculator.
Run Comp Analyzer within the same submarket.
Use Year 1 Cash Needs with realistic hurricane-prep reserves.
Read Buying STRs in Hurricane-Prone Coastal Markets.

Not investment advice. Verify all regulatory, tax, and insurance information with local authorities and licensed professionals before committing capital.

Last reviewed 2026-05-07 · Estimated — community-sourced · Population 71,012