Cost of Living in Duluth, MN
Duluth, MN-WI — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
88.8
U.S. average = 100 · #318 of 387
Median wage
$50,000
all jobs · $3,373/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$978
HUD fair market rent
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Duluth, MN to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
—
Prices in Duluth, MN vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.8 | −11.2% |
| Housing | 71.1 | −28.9% |
| Goods | 95.3 | −4.7% |
| Utilities | 87.3 | −12.8% |
| Other services | 92.2 | −7.8% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Duluth, MN
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $849 | $33,960/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $978 | $39,120/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,232 | $49,280/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,689 | $67,560/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,067 | $82,680/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Duluth, MN
Your take-home pay
$40,478
per year · effective tax rate 19.0%
$3,373Monthly
$1,687Twice a month
$1,557Every 2 weeks
$19.46Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,820
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,100
- Medicare (1.45%)$725
- Minnesota income tax$1,877
- Take-home pay$40,478
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.80% state
Highest-paying jobs in Duluth, MN
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duluth, MN expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area are 88.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 71.1%. It is the #318 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Duluth, MN?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $53,261 in Duluth, MN (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $50,000.
How much is rent in Duluth, MN?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Duluth, MN are $849 for a studio, $978 for one bedroom, $1,232 for two bedrooms and $1,689 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Duluth, MN
Management Occupations
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $102,610
- General and Operations Manager — $85,930
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $96,550
- Accountant and Auditor — $77,400
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $68,280
- Human Resources Specialist — $67,040
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $103,500
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,710
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Industrial Engineer — $96,150
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Social Workers, All Other — $80,490
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $56,120
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $51,170
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $74,030
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $65,840
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $39,510
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $37,920
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $96,940
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $60,930
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $47,990
- Nursing Assistant — $44,250
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,390
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,220
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $61,390
- Security Guard — $37,520
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,860
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $40,300
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,680
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,880
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,010
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,260
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $26,900
- Bartender — $23,540
- Waiter and Waitress — $23,150
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $38,180
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $37,230
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $35,100
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Recreation Worker — $36,080
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,150
- Childcare Worker — $30,960
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $63,670
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $61,710
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,960
- Retail Salesperson — $34,650
- Cashier — $33,020
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $65,880
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,660
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $47,870
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,740
- Office Clerks, General — $46,820
- Customer Service Representative — $44,940
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $35,710
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $35,350
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $91,630
- Electrician — $82,700
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $75,040
- Construction Laborer — $61,340
- Carpenter — $60,520
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $84,340
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $83,380
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $58,900
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $52,640
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $76,340
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,510
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,970
- Light Truck Driver — $45,100
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $44,080
- Stocker and Order Filler — $34,700