Duluth vs Lancaster
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Lancaster
The Verdict
Duluth is 15.0% less expensive than Lancaster overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $88,235 in Lancaster to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $88,235 in Lancaster.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lancaster equals $63,750 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Lancaster
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Lancaster's 67, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $225,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,175/mo in Lancaster, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 97 in Lancaster. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $461/month in Lancaster. 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 110 in Lancaster. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $440 in Lancaster. 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 94 in Lancaster. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-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 $63,700 in Lancaster. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $63,700 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 $1,486/month in Lancaster. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Lancaster, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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