City Comparison

Duluth vs Provo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

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

Provo

Utah
104
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,048
Median Income

The Verdict

18.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.3%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $91,765 in Provo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
112
Provo
Groceries
99
Duluth
98
Provo
Utilities
94
Duluth
87
Provo
Transportation
100
Duluth
101
Provo
Healthcare
123
Duluth
97
Provo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $91,765 in Provo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Provo equals $61,298 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Provo

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Provo's 112, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $380,000. The $112,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,284 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,300/mo in Provo, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 98 in Provo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $466/month in Provo. 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 87 in Provo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $348 in Provo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 97 in Provo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $51,048 in Provo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $49,085 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 $1,191/month in Provo. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 18.3% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,765 in Provo, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Provo's is 112 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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