Cost of Living in Duluth, MN

An Overview of Cost of Living in Duluth, MN

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Duluth? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Duluth stands at 100, making it 0% equal to the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Duluth aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Duluth residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

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

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 10 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Duluth. The results indicated that 50% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 50% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Duluth Affordable?

Is Duluth affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Duluth, for instance, where the median home price falls 9.4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 10% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Duluth flaunting a median household income of $54,084, 2.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Duluth?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Duluth, the healthcare costs are 24.3% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Duluth, the groceries index is 2.9% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Duluth, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.875%, and the income tax rates commence at 5.35%.

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.