Duluth vs Fargo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Fargo
The Verdict
Living in Duluth costs 8.6% less than Fargo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $82,059 in Fargo.
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 $82,059 in Fargo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fargo equals $68,548 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Fargo
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Fargo's 80, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $260,000. The $8,000 difference in home prices means roughly $516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,000/mo in Fargo, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 98 in Fargo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $466/month in Fargo. 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 92 in Fargo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $368 in Fargo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 105 in Fargo. 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 $55,218 in Fargo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $59,374 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 $1,288/month in Fargo. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/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
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases