Des Moines vs Duluth
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Des Moines
Duluth
The Verdict
Duluth is 4.7% less expensive than Des Moines overall. A household earning $75,000 in Des Moines would need approximately $71,629 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 Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $71,629 in Duluth.
Conversely, $75,000 in Duluth equals $78,529 in Des Moines.
Living in Des Moines vs Duluth
Housing Costs
Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower Duluth's 88, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $268,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,025/mo in Duluth, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 99 in Duluth. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines 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 Des Moines and 94 in Duluth. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $376 in Duluth. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines 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 $55,958 in Des Moines and $68,800 in Duluth. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 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 $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,605/month in Duluth. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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