Duluth 80 Exceptional
Duluth Livability #49 ranked city in Minnesota#1,401 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas

Duluth, MN - The Zenith City of the Unsalted Seas

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.

Pros and Cons of Living in Duluth

PROS
  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Housing

    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.

  • Health & Safety

    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.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

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What's it like Living in Duluth?

Duluth is a medium-sized city located in the state of Minnesota. The city has a population of 85,852 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 89% of Duluth residents are White, 2% Black and 2% American Indian and Alaskan. Duluth is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 44%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Duluth. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive 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 commute, health & safety, education, employment, 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.

The livability score in Duluth is 77/100 and the city is ranked in the 92nd percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Duluth is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Duluth has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Duluth has higher than average scores for the following: education (B-) and housing (A-). On a less positive note, Duluth does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F) and crime (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can 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.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Duluth. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Duluth are affordable. Median real estate prices in Duluth come in at $167,300, which is 12.6% lower than the Minnesota average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Duluth, the home price to income ratio is 3.1, which is 3.3% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Duluth

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Compare Duluth, MN Livability

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      Duluth transportation information

      Statistic Duluth Minnesota National
      Average one way commute17min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.9%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.2%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit3.5%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.4%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home5.2%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Duluth, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).