Duluth vs McKinney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
McKinney
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.1%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $98,824 in McKinney.
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 $98,824 in McKinney.
Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $56,920 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs McKinney
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $472,000. The $204,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,260 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $875.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $461/month in McKinney. 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 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $452 in McKinney. 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 129 in McKinney. 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 $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $110,893 respectively. McKinney residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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