CostIndexUSA

Duluth, MN vs Portland, OR Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
OR
Portland
105.4
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Duluth is significantly cheaper than Portland — 18.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $95,000 in Portland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+75.9%
Duluth
71.1
Portland
125.1
🛒 Groceries+10.4%
Duluth
95.3
Portland
105.2
🚗 Transportation+8.6%
Duluth
96.8
Portland
105.1
🏥 Healthcare+8.6%
Duluth
87.6
Portland
95.1
Utilities+22.6%
Duluth
87.3
Portland
107

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Portland, OR
$95,000
$15,000 more needed in Portland

Formula: salary × (105.4 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.1869. 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×

Portland, OR

Median Home Price
$536,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
125.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Portland has 75.9% 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

Portland, OR

Median Household Income
$94,900
Per Capita Income
$54,100
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
652,503
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

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)

Portland, OR
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.