Duluth vs Lafayette

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 $79,412 in Lafayette.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $70,833 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Lafayette

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $214,000. The $54,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,516 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 43-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $68,778 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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