CostIndexUSA

Duluth, MN vs Grand Rapids, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
MI
Grand Rapids
95.5
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Duluth is moderately cheaper than Grand Rapids — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $86,000 in Grand Rapids. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+21.8%
Duluth
71.1
Grand Rapids
86.6
🛒 Groceries1.7%
Duluth
95.3
Grand Rapids
93.7
🚗 Transportation+8.0%
Duluth
96.8
Grand Rapids
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+8.0%
Duluth
87.6
Grand Rapids
94.6
Utilities+7.4%
Duluth
87.3
Grand Rapids
93.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Grand Rapids, MI
$86,000
$6,000 more needed in Grand Rapids

Formula: salary × (95.5 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.0755. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Duluth, MN

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

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
86.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.1×

Grand Rapids has 21.8% higher housing costs compared to Duluth.

Income & Job Market

Duluth, MN

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

Grand Rapids, MI

Median Household Income
$78,000
Per Capita Income
$44,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
198,917
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceEducationTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Duluth, MN
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Grand Rapids, MI
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.