Duluth vs Irvine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Irvine
The Verdict
Living in Duluth costs 52.2% less than Irvine. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $157,059 in Irvine.
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 $157,059 in Irvine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irvine equals $35,815 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Irvine
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Irvine's 294, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $1.1M. The $782,000 difference in home prices means roughly $50,832 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $3,000/mo in Irvine, a monthly difference of $1,975.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 108 in Irvine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $513/month in Irvine. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 115 in Irvine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $460 in Irvine. 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 109 in Irvine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $108,038 in Irvine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $60,696 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 $2,521/month in Irvine. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 206 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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