CostIndexUSA

Duluth, MN vs Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
CA
Santa Ana
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Duluth is significantly cheaper than Santa Ana — 27.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $102,300 in Santa Ana. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+139.7%
Duluth
71.1
Santa Ana
170.4
🛒 Groceries+11.9%
Duluth
95.3
Santa Ana
106.6
🚗 Transportation+13.2%
Duluth
96.8
Santa Ana
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+13.1%
Duluth
87.6
Santa Ana
99.1
Utilities+81.7%
Duluth
87.3
Santa Ana
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Ana, CA
$102,300
$22,300 more needed in Santa Ana

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.2793. 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×

Santa Ana, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Ana has 139.7% 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

Santa Ana, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
310,227
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationFinance

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)

Santa Ana, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.