Duluth vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 36.1%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $117,353 in Lakewood.
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 $117,353 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $47,932 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $574,000. The $306,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,896 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $825.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $63,008 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 100 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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