Duluth vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Laredo
The Verdict
Living in Laredo costs 3.7% less than Duluth. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $72,353 in Laredo.
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 $72,353 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $77,744 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $190,000. The $78,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $428 in Laredo. 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 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 46-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 $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $77,927 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 $1,491/month in Laredo. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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