Duluth vs Scottsdale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Scottsdale
The Verdict
Duluth is 30.9% less expensive than Scottsdale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $108,529 in Scottsdale 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 $108,529 in Scottsdale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $51,829 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Scottsdale
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $580,000. The $312,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $975.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $489/month in Scottsdale. 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 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $384 in Scottsdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 95 in Scottsdale. 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 $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $75,039 respectively. Duluth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases