Duluth vs Phoenix
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Duluth
Phoenix
💡 The Verdict
Phoenix is 7% cheaper than Duluth overall. A $75,000 salary in Duluth is equivalent to $69,444 in Phoenix.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Duluth (left) vs Phoenix (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Duluth versus Phoenix. Differences shown from Duluth perspective.
| Item | Duluth | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,030/mo | $1,000/mo | +$30.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,310/mo | $1,400/mo | $-90.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,650/mo | $1,860/mo | $-210.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.00 | $2.60 | +$0.40 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.94 | $3.75 | +$0.19 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.46 | $3.26 | +$0.20 |
| Coffee (latte) | $6.36 | $6.48 | $-0.12 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.83 | $3.31 | +$0.52 |
| Restaurant Meal | $16.00 | $15.67 | +$0.33 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $69,444 in Phoenix.
Conversely, $75,000 in Phoenix equals $81,000 in Duluth.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3225 difference is driven by Minnesota having a higher state income tax rate. Minnesota details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Duluth (108) vs Phoenix (100)
Duluth at 108 is 8% above the US average, while Phoenix at 100 is 0% below average. The cost difference between these cities is relatively modest.
In Duluth, the composite index of 108 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 101, followed by groceries (109), utilities (101), transportation (110), and healthcare (112). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,310/mo in Duluth and $1,400/mo in Phoenix, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,080.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $5,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $19,000.0 difference in median home prices between Duluth and Phoenix translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Duluth vs Phoenix
Choosing between Duluth and Phoenix involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Duluth against Phoenix, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.