Arlington vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Duluth
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 92.9%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $38,872 in Duluth.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $38,872 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $144,706 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $268,000. The $472,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $1,325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $470/month in Duluth. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $80,941 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 161 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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