City Comparison

Duluth vs Gilbert

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

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

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

The Verdict

23.4%

Duluth is 23.4% less expensive than Gilbert overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $97,941 in Gilbert to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
128
Gilbert
Groceries
99
Duluth
100
Gilbert
Utilities
94
Duluth
96
Gilbert
Transportation
100
Duluth
103
Gilbert
Healthcare
123
Duluth
95
Gilbert

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $97,941 in Gilbert.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gilbert equals $57,432 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Gilbert

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Gilbert's 128, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $470,000. The $202,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,128 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,700/mo in Gilbert, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 100 in Gilbert. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $475/month in Gilbert. 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 96 in Gilbert. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $384 in Gilbert. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 95 in Gilbert. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $94,518 in Gilbert. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $85,151 respectively. Gilbert 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 $2,205/month in Gilbert. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 23.4% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,941 in Gilbert, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Gilbert's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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