B
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
41%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Duluth Georgia National
Cost of living11193100
Goods & Services10097100
Groceries10198100
Health care109100100
Housing14186100
Transportation9994100
Utilities8186100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Duluth, GA

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Duluth is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Duluth is 111, which is 11% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Duluth cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 41.3% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Duluth?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Duluth. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 80% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 20% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Duluth Affordable?

Wondering if Duluth is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Duluth, for example, the median home price is 37.6% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 49.9% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Duluth boasting a median household income of $74,377, which is 34.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Duluth?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Duluth, the housing index is 41.3% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Duluth, healthcare costs are 9.2% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Duluth cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Duluth is 20% higher than the Georgia average
  • The cost of living in Duluth is 11% higher than the national average
  • Duluth housing is 41% higher than the national average
  • Georgia general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Georgia state income tax is 56% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Duluth

See all the best places to live around Duluth

Compare Duluth, GA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$89,953$7,496$2,099$2,699
      Renters$62,316$5,193$1,454$1,870
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Duluth, GA, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Duluth, homeowners have a median income of $89,953. Using that number, a maximum of $2,099 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $62,316, which means there is a maximum of $1,454 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Georgia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Georgia 4% 8%

      Georgia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Georgia 1% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Duluth National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.25$24.2612.3%
      Beauty Salon $56.36$45.5623.7%
      Toothpaste $3.74$3.700.9%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.9%
      Movie $15.20$12.1325.3%
      Bowling $20.98$18.0016.5%

      Groceries

      Item Duluth National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.25$5.8410.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.61$1.572.1%
      Milk $4.69$4.670.4%
      Potatoes $5.32$4.937.9%
      Pizza $11.36$12.096.0%
      Beer $10.39$10.410.2%

      Health Care

      Item Duluth National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $129.73$125.683.2%
      Doctor $128.57$135.785.3%
      Dentist $144.73$113.2927.8%
      Ibuprofen $10.74$10.650.8%
      Lipitor $495.22$468.605.7%

      Housing

      Item Duluth National avg. Difference
      Home Price $254,200.00$184,700.0037.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,292.55$2,346.692.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,423.00$949.0049.9%

      Transportation

      Item Duluth National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.5%
      Tire Balancing $69.77$59.9216.4%

      Utilities

      Item Duluth National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $134.81$193.9930.5%
      Phone $191.28$192.250.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rest Haven, GA438713.1%
      Stone Mountain, GA6,376946.5%
      Clarkston, GA12,747954.5%
      Pine Lake, GA8341000.4%
      Lawrenceville, GA30,1251000.3%
      Duluth, GA29,53811110.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      O'Fallon, IL29,4871011.0%
      Crofton, MD29,48214141.0%
      Highland Park, IL29,59614949.3%
      Chicago Heights, IL29,598928.0%
      Austintown, OH29,4678614.4%
      Duluth, GA29,53811110.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.