CostIndexUSA

Duluth, MN vs Lafayette, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Lafayette
87.2
overall index
$1,325/mo rent

Lafayette is slightly cheaper than Duluth — 1.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $78,600 in Lafayette. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.3%
Duluth
71.1
Lafayette
58.8
🛒 Groceries1.7%
Duluth
95.3
Lafayette
93.7
🚗 Transportation+3.8%
Duluth
96.8
Lafayette
100.5
🏥 Healthcare+3.8%
Duluth
87.6
Lafayette
90.9
Utilities18.4%
Duluth
87.3
Lafayette
71.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Lafayette, LA
$78,600
$1,400 less needed in Lafayette

Formula: salary × (87.2 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 0.9820. 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×

Lafayette, LA

Median Home Price
$194,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
58.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2×

Duluth has 17.3% lower housing costs compared to Lafayette.

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

Lafayette, LA

Median Household Income
$57,300
Per Capita Income
$32,700
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
120,623
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareEducationManufacturingRetail

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)

Lafayette, LA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.