Duluth vs San Antonio
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
San Antonio
The Verdict
Duluth is 5.6% less expensive than San Antonio overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $79,412 in San Antonio to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $79,412 in San Antonio.
Conversely, $75,000 in San Antonio equals $70,833 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs San Antonio
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is higher San Antonio's 78, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $250,000. The $18,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,200/mo in San Antonio, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 93 in San Antonio. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $442/month in San Antonio. San Antonio offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 96 in San Antonio. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $384 in San Antonio. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 95 in San Antonio. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $53,420 in San Antonio. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $59,356 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 $1,246/month in San Antonio. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In San Antonio, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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