Duluth vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Duluth costs 17.5% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $90,882 in Surprise.
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 $90,882 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $61,893 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $419,000. The $151,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,605/month to housing in Duluth vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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