Duluth vs Plano

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 $96,176 in Plano.

Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $58,486 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Plano

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $400,000. The $132,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $466/month in Plano. 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 100 in Plano. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $88,393 respectively. Plano residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $2,248/month in Plano. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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