Abilene vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Duluth
The Verdict
Abilene is 5.9% less expensive than Duluth overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $79,688 in Duluth to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $79,688 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $70,588 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $268,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $470/month in Duluth. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $80,941 respectively. Duluth residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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