CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs Duluth, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Duluth is moderately cheaper than Columbus — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $74,400 in Duluth. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing19.1%
Columbus
87.9
Duluth
71.1
🛒 Groceries+1.8%
Columbus
93.6
Duluth
95.3
🚗 Transportation6.8%
Columbus
103.9
Duluth
96.8
🏥 Healthcare6.8%
Columbus
94
Duluth
87.6
Utilities8.6%
Columbus
95.5
Duluth
87.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Duluth, MN
$74,400
$5,600 less needed in Duluth

Formula: salary × (88.8 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9298. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price
$317,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
87.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Duluth, MN

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

Columbus has 19.1% lower housing costs compared to Duluth.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, OH

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
905,748
Top Industries
FinanceRetailHealthcareEducationGovernment

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).

Columbus, OH
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.