City Comparison

Duluth vs Oxnard

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

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

Oxnard

California
154
Very Expensive
$653,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$96,200
Median Income

The Verdict

44.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 44.8%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $135,882 in Oxnard.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
253
Oxnard
Groceries
99
Duluth
112
Oxnard
Utilities
94
Duluth
107
Oxnard
Transportation
100
Duluth
135
Oxnard
Healthcare
123
Duluth
113
Oxnard

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $135,882 in Oxnard.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oxnard equals $41,396 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Oxnard

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Oxnard's 253, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $653,000. The $385,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,925/mo in Oxnard, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 112 in Oxnard. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $532/month in Oxnard. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 107 in Oxnard. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $428 in Oxnard. 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 113 in Oxnard. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $96,200 in Oxnard. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $62,468 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 $2,245/month in Oxnard. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Oxnard, median rent of $1,925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 165 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 44.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 154.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $135,882 in Oxnard, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Oxnard's is 253 with median homes at $653,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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