Duluth vs Philadelphia

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 $93,529 in Philadelphia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $60,142 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Philadelphia

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $240,000. The $28,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,824 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 Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $494/month in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $452 in Philadelphia. 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 101 in Philadelphia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases