CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Duluth, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Duluth is moderately cheaper than Charlotte — 8.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $73,000 in Duluth. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing27.2%
Charlotte
97.6
Duluth
71.1
🛒 Groceries1.3%
Charlotte
96.6
Duluth
95.3
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Charlotte
103.1
Duluth
96.8
🏥 Healthcare6.1%
Charlotte
93.3
Duluth
87.6
Utilities2.1%
Charlotte
89.2
Duluth
87.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Charlotte to see what you'd need to earn in Duluth to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Duluth, MN
$73,000
$7,000 less needed in Duluth

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 0.9126. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Duluth, MN

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
71.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7×

Charlotte has 27.2% lower housing costs compared to Duluth.

Income & Job Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Household Income
$81,300
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
879,709
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyEnergy

Duluth, MN

Median Household Income
$70,200
Per Capita Income
$40,000
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
89,127
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationShippingManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Charlotte, NC
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Duluth, MN
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.