City Comparison

Duluth vs Paris

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

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

Paris

France
112
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$48,000
Median Income

The Verdict

24.1%

Living in Duluth costs 24.1% less than Paris. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $98,824 in Paris.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
155
Paris
Groceries
99
Duluth
98
Paris
Utilities
94
Duluth
108
Paris
Transportation
100
Duluth
105
Paris
Healthcare
123
Duluth
85
Paris

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $98,824 in Paris.

Conversely, $75,000 in Paris equals $56,920 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Paris

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Paris's 155, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $695,000. The $427,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,800/mo in Paris, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 98 in Paris. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $466/month in Paris. 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 108 in Paris. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $432 in Paris. 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 85 in Paris. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 38-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 $48,000 in Paris. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $42,857 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 $1,120/month in Paris. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Paris, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 24.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,824 in Paris, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Paris's is 155 with median homes at $695,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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