Duluth vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Duluth
Wilmington
The Verdict
Duluth is 17.5% less expensive than Wilmington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Duluth would need approximately $90,882 in Wilmington to maintain the same standard of living.
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 Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $61,893 in Duluth.
Living in Duluth vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $320,000. The $52,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,384 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 123 in Duluth and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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