City Comparison

Duluth vs Eugene

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

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

Eugene

Oregon
115
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,448
Median Income

The Verdict

26.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 26.1%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $101,471 in Eugene.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
130
Eugene
Groceries
99
Duluth
103
Eugene
Utilities
94
Duluth
91
Eugene
Transportation
100
Duluth
107
Eugene
Healthcare
123
Duluth
106
Eugene

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $101,471 in Eugene.

Conversely, $75,000 in Eugene equals $55,435 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Eugene

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Eugene's 130, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $380,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,400/mo in Eugene, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 103 in Eugene. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $489/month in Eugene. 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 91 in Eugene. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $364 in Eugene. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 106 in Eugene. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $49,448 in Eugene. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $42,998 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 $1,154/month in Eugene. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Eugene, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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

Duluth is 26.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $101,471 in Eugene, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Eugene's is 130 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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