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Duluth, MN-WI

Cost of living in Duluth, Minnesota

St. Louis County, MN

Part of the Duluth Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,949/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 200,056 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $896 30%
Federal tax $487 17%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $340 12%
Transport $320 11%
State tax $189 6%
Energy $187 6%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Duluth

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$782
per month
1 bedroom
$896
per month
2 bedroom
$1,140
per month
3 bedroom
$1,538
per month
4 bedroom
$1,914
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Duluth

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$69,455
per year
Individual earnings
$39,828
per year
Per capita
$39,778
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Duluth

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$208,500
Annual property tax
$2,142

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Duluth

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$124
per month · 15.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$63
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Duluth

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Duluth

State and local tax rates for Minnesota.

State income tax
9.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.9%
Combined sales tax
7.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Duluth

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
20.1 min
Drive alone
76.1%
Public transit
1.6%
Work from home
9.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Duluth

What it costs to live in Duluth each month.

Single person
$2,949
per month
  • Rent $896
  • Energy $187
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $340
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $487
  • State tax $189
Couple
$4,435
per month
  • Rent $1,140
  • Energy $224
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $563
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $807
  • State tax $357
Family
$6,977
per month
  • Rent $1,538
  • Energy $280
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $855
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $807
  • State tax $357

Frequently asked questions about Duluth

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Duluth?

In Duluth, Minnesota, a one-bedroom apartment averages $896 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,140 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,538 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Duluth?

In Duluth, Minnesota, the average household income is $69,455 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $39,828 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Duluth?

The estimated cost of living in Duluth, Minnesota is approximately $2,949 per month for a single person, $4,435 for a couple, $6,977 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Duluth?

The combined sales tax rate in Duluth, Minnesota is 7.54%, which includes the Minnesota state rate of 6.88% plus an average local rate of 0.66%.

Is Duluth an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Duluth, Minnesota would need approximately $2,949 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $69,455 per year ($5,788 per month). Duluth has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Duluth?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Duluth, Minnesota is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Duluth?

The average home value in Duluth, Minnesota is $208,500, with average annual property taxes of $2,142, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Duluth compare to other areas?

You can compare Duluth, Minnesota with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Duluth is in the Duluth, MN-WI metro area.

Other counties in Minnesota

Browse the full list of counties in Minnesota, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Minnesota

Compare Duluth with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP