City Comparison

Davenport vs Duluth

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Davenport

Iowa
83
Very Affordable
$212,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$66,200
Median Income

Duluth

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

The Verdict

2.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.4%, with Davenport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to $76,807 in Duluth.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
60
Davenport
88
Duluth
Groceries
97
Davenport
99
Duluth
Utilities
83
Davenport
94
Duluth
Transportation
105
Davenport
100
Duluth
Healthcare
97
Davenport
123
Duluth

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $76,807 in Duluth.

Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $73,235 in Davenport.

Living in Davenport vs Duluth

Housing Costs

Davenport's housing index of 60 is lower Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $212,000 vs $268,000. The $56,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Davenport compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Davenport and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Davenport 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 83 in Davenport and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Davenport 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 97 in Davenport and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $66,200 in Davenport and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,759 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 $1,545/month to housing in Davenport vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Davenport, median rent of $900/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 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport is 2.4% more affordable overall with an index of 83 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,807 in Duluth, based on the cost of living difference.
Davenport's housing index is 60 with median homes at $212,000, while Duluth's is 88 with median homes at $268,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases