Duluth wins overall by ~50% (COL index)
Cost of living: Duluth vs Los Angeles (2026)
A $62,500 salary in Duluth buys roughly what $124,282 does in Los Angeles (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$26,577/yr
Favoring Duluth for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $2,215/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~7 months and still keep ~$266/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Duluth Minnesota | Los Angeles California | Who wins | Your impact at $63K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950Wins | $2,200 | Duluth wins +$1,250/mo | $15,000/yr saves in Duluth |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200Wins | $2,800 | Duluth wins +$1,600/mo | $19,200/yr saves in Duluth |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600Wins | $3,800 | Duluth wins +$2,200/mo | $26,400/yr saves in Duluth |
| Median home price | $230KWins | $850K | Duluth wins +$620K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 108 | Duluth wins +11 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $18 | Duluth wins +$6/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $75 | Duluth wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Duluth |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $60Wins | $100 | Duluth wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Duluth |
| Gas price/gal | $3.25Wins | $4.50 | Duluth wins +$1.25 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Wins | $195 | Duluth wins +$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Duluth |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $145Wins | Los wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Los |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $70 | Duluth wins +$8/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $54K | $71KWins | Los wins +$17K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9% | 9.3%Better | Los wins -0.6 pp | $375/yr saves in Los |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Wins | 10.3% | Duluth wins +2.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $17.00 | Duluth wins +$4.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $55 | Duluth wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Duluth |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $8.00 | Duluth wins +$2.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Wins | 173 | Duluth wins +86 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 43 | 68Wins | Los wins +25 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Duluth fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Duluth.
High-yield savings
Park ~$19,200/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Duluth cheaper than Los Angeles?
Yes. Duluth is 50% cheaper than Los Angeles based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 173, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Duluth vs Los Angeles?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Duluth is $1,200/month and in Los Angeles is $2,800/month. Duluth is cheaper by 57%.
How much do I need to earn in Los Angeles to match a $75,000 salary in Duluth?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $149,138/year in Los Angeles to match a $75,000 salary in Duluth. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Duluth or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has the lower state income tax rate at 9.3% vs 9.9%. The difference is 0.6 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Duluth to Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Duluth offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Duluth ↔ Los Angeles
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