Boise vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Duluth
The Verdict
Living in Duluth costs 24.7% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $60,142 in Duluth.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $60,142 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $93,529 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $268,000. The $152,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $470/month in Duluth. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 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 $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/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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