CostIndexUSA

Duluth, MN vs St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
MN
St. Paul
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Duluth is significantly cheaper than St. Paul — 18.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $94,400 in St. Paul. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+57.2%
Duluth
71.1
St. Paul
111.8
🛒 Groceries+8.2%
Duluth
95.3
St. Paul
103.1
🚗 Transportation+13.2%
Duluth
96.8
St. Paul
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+13.2%
Duluth
87.6
St. Paul
99.2
Utilities+7.1%
Duluth
87.3
St. Paul
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$94,400
$14,400 more needed in St. Paul

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.1802. 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×

St. Paul, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

St. Paul has 57.2% 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

St. Paul, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
311,527
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationGovernmentManufacturing

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)

St. Paul, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.