Duluth vs Erie
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Erie
The Verdict
Erie is 4.9% less expensive than Duluth overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $71,471 in Erie 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 Duluth has the same purchasing power as $71,471 in Erie.
Conversely, $75,000 in Erie equals $78,704 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Erie
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Erie's 55, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $165,000. The $103,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,696 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $925/mo in Erie, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 97 in Erie. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $461/month in Erie. 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 109 in Erie. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $436 in Erie. 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 123 in Duluth and 89 in Erie. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $43,400 in Erie. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $53,580 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,013/month in Erie. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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