Duluth vs Fort Collins

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 $102,353 in Fort Collins.

Conversely, $75,000 in Fort Collins equals $54,957 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Fort Collins

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Fort Collins's 142, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $531,000. The $263,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,100 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,625/mo in Fort Collins, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 100 in Fort Collins. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $475/month in Fort Collins. 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 87 in Fort Collins. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $348 in Fort Collins. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 97 in Fort Collins. 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 $68,800 in Duluth and $74,800 in Fort Collins. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $64,483 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,745/month in Fort Collins. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Fort Collins, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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