City Comparison

Duluth vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

Minnesota
85
Very Affordable
$268,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$68,800
Median Income

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

8.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.6%, with Duluth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to $82,059 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
88
Duluth
132
Toronto
Groceries
99
Duluth
88
Toronto
Utilities
94
Duluth
85
Toronto
Transportation
100
Duluth
98
Toronto
Healthcare
123
Duluth
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $82,059 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $68,548 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $615,000. The $347,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $800.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $340 in Toronto. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 72 in Toronto. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 51-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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $59,140 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 8.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,059 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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