City Comparison

Duluth vs New Haven

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

The Verdict

28.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 28.0%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $104,118 in New Haven.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
88
Duluth
137
New Haven
Groceries
99
Duluth
106
New Haven
Utilities
94
Duluth
124
New Haven
Transportation
100
Duluth
102
New Haven
Healthcare
123
Duluth
114
New Haven

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $104,118 in New Haven.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Haven equals $54,025 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs New Haven

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower New Haven's 137, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $250,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,400/mo in New Haven, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 106 in New Haven. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $504/month in New Haven. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 124 in New Haven. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $496 in New Haven. 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 114 in New Haven. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $42,158 in New Haven. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $35,727 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 $984/month in New Haven. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 28.0% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $104,118 in New Haven, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while New Haven's is 137 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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