
Living in Duluth, MN offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and vibrant community life. Known as the 'Zenith City of the Unsalted Seas,' Duluth is situated on the shores of Lake Superior, providing stunning views and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. The city’s Canal Park is a major attraction, featuring the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, waterfront dining, and shops, making it a hub of activity in Duluth.
Duluth’s dining scene is diverse, offering a variety of options from fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants to cozy cafes serving locally sourced ingredients. The annual Duluth Homegrown Music Festival is a highlight, showcasing the best local music talent in venues across the city. The historic Glensheen Mansion, a beautiful estate on the shores of Lake Superior, offers a glimpse into Duluth’s rich history and is a popular destination for both residents and visitors.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Duluth is a paradise. The city is surrounded by natural beauty, including the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior and the nearby Superior National Forest. The Lakewalk, a popular trail that runs along the lakefront, is perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying the stunning views. Spirit Mountain, located just outside the city, offers skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking, making it a year-round destination for adventure.
Duluth is also known for its strong sense of community and cultural vibrancy. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Duluth Winter Village and the Duluth Airshow. The local farmers market offers fresh produce, crafts, and live entertainment, making it a popular spot for residents.
For those considering a move to Minnesota, Duluth offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, cultural events, or lakeside living, living in Duluth, MN provides a fulfilling and dynamic lifestyle.
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Located in the state of Minnesota, Duluth is a medium-sized city with a population of 87,821 people. According to the most recent Census, 89% of Duluth residents are White, 2% Black and 2% American Indian and Alaskan. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 44% of the Duluth population is married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Duluth will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 17 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Duluth, Minnesota. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Duluth and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Duluth to Minnesota and the national average.
Duluth, MN receives 80 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #49 in Minnesota and #1,401 in the USA. Clearly, Duluth is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Duluth has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (B-), education (B-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Duluth ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Duluth excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Duluth real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Duluth. The median home price for Duluth homes is $301,753, which is 11% lower than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Duluth, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 0% lower than the Minnesota average.

Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Duluth | Minnesota | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.9% | 78.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 8.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.5% | 3.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.0% | 0.8% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.4% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.2% | 5.3% | 4.6% |