Duluth vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Kent
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 38.0%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $120,882 in Kent.
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 $120,882 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $46,533 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Kent
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $595,000. The $327,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $518/month in Kent. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 122 in Kent. 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 $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $71,752 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 $2,294/month in Kent. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 107 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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