Duluth vs Hilo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Hilo
The Verdict
Living in Duluth costs 35.6% less than Hilo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $116,471 in Hilo.
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 $116,471 in Hilo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hilo equals $48,295 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Hilo
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Hilo's 149, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $555,000. The $287,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,660 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,575/mo in Hilo, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 149 in Hilo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $708/month in Hilo. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2856/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 218 in Hilo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $872 in Hilo. 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 118 in Hilo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $78,700 in Hilo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $59,621 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 $1,836/month in Hilo. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Hilo, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 124 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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