| Index | Duluth | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 91 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 99 | 100 |
The cost of living in Duluth affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Duluth is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Duluth are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Duluth can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 10 residents in Duluth to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 50% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 50% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Duluth affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Duluth, the median home price is 7.6% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 10.7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Duluth boasting a median household income of $81,452, 0.1% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Duluth, healthcare costs are 0.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Duluth, the transportation index is 3.5% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
The Duluth cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $108,863 | $9,072 | $2,540 | $3,266 |
| Renters | $44,939 | $3,745 | $1,049 | $1,348 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 7.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Minnesota | 5.35% | 9.85% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Superior, WI | 26,920 | 92 | 7.8% |
| Proctor, MN | 3,119 | 94 | 5.6% |
| Carlton, MN | 1,039 | 95 | 5.1% |
| Oliver, WI | 288 | 95 | 5.0% |
| Wrenshall, MN | 476 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Duluth, MN | 87,821 | 98 | 2.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Repentigny, QC | 87,645 | n/a | |
| Bloomington, IN | 87,630 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Hoover, AL | 88,027 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Largo, FL | 87,579 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Bryan, TX | 88,156 | 97 | 3.3% |
| Duluth, MN | 87,821 | 98 | 2.1% |
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