Duluth vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.6%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $94,412 in Springfield.
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 $94,412 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $59,579 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $378,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $480/month in Springfield. 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 Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 102 in Springfield. 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 $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $53,832 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 $1,344/month in Springfield. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases