Duluth vs Worcester

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 $110,294 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $51,000 in Duluth.

Living in Duluth vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Duluth's housing index of 88 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $268,000 vs $340,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Duluth compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Duluth and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Duluth vs $504/month in Worcester. Duluth offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Duluth and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Duluth vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $68,800 in Duluth and $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,941 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Duluth, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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