City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Duluth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

The Verdict

23.5%

Living in Duluth costs 23.5% less than Colorado Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs, you would need $60,714 in Duluth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
88
Duluth
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
99
Duluth
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
94
Duluth
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
100
Duluth
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
123
Duluth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $60,714 in Duluth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $92,647 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Duluth

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $268,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 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 $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 23.5% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,714 in Duluth, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Duluth's is 88 with median homes at $268,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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