Dayton vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Duluth
The Verdict
Dayton is 5.9% less expensive than Duluth overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $79,688 in Duluth to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $79,688 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $70,588 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $268,000. The $133,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,640 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton 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 114 in Dayton and 123 in Duluth. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Dayton, 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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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