Brooklyn vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Brooklyn
Duluth
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 129.4%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brooklyn has equivalent purchasing power to $32,692 in Duluth.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn has the same purchasing power as $32,692 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $172,059 in Brooklyn.
Living in Brooklyn vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Brooklyn's housing index of 325 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $780,000 vs $268,000. The $512,000 difference in home prices means roughly $33,276 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,900/mo in Brooklyn compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $1,875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Brooklyn and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Brooklyn vs $470/month in Duluth. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 135 in Brooklyn and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $540 in Brooklyn vs $376 in Duluth. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Brooklyn and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $65,294 in Brooklyn and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,484 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 $1,524/month to housing in Brooklyn vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Brooklyn, median rent of $2,900/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 237 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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