Duluth vs Spokane
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Spokane
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $86,471 in Spokane.
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 $86,471 in Spokane.
Conversely, $75,000 in Spokane equals $65,051 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Spokane
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Spokane's 94, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $310,000. The $42,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,736 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 Spokane, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 99 in Spokane. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $470/month in Spokane. 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 98 in Spokane. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $392 in Spokane. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 102 in Spokane. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $48,834 in Spokane. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $49,831 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 $1,139/month in Spokane. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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