Duluth vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Elgin
The Verdict
Living in Duluth costs 10.5% less than Elgin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $83,824 in Elgin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $83,824 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $67,105 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Elgin
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $279,000. The $11,000 difference in home prices means roughly $720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $494/month in Elgin. 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 94 in Duluth and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $356 in Elgin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 105 in Elgin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $95,053 respectively. Elgin residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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