City Comparison

Duluth vs Visalia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Duluth

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

Visalia

California
106
Above Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$80,000
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Duluth costs 19.8% less than Visalia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $93,529 in Visalia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
88
Duluth
120
Visalia
Groceries
99
Duluth
104
Visalia
Utilities
94
Duluth
115
Visalia
Transportation
100
Duluth
112
Visalia
Healthcare
123
Duluth
100
Visalia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Duluth has the same purchasing power as $93,529 in Visalia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Visalia equals $60,142 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Visalia

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Visalia's 120, 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 $1,375/mo in Visalia, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 104 in Visalia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $494/month in Visalia. 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 115 in Visalia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $460 in Visalia. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 100 in Visalia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-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 $80,000 in Visalia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $75,472 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 $1,867/month in Visalia. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Visalia, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duluth is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Duluth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,529 in Visalia, based on the cost of living difference.
Duluth's housing index is 88 with median homes at $268,000, while Visalia's is 120 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases