salaryDuluth is the 5th-largest city in Minnesota that we track, with 87,093 residents. Rent is lower than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.3 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,640 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Minnesota cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Minnesota. It is number 40 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Duluth?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Duluth
| Size | Duluth | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $911 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $946 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,260 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,598 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,372 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Duluth overall?
Everyday prices in the Duluth metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Duluth
Life in Duluth
What jobs pay in Duluth
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $154,860 | 10.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,530 | 11.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,860 | 11.4% |
| Lawyer | $129,120 | 12.0% |
| Software Developer | $103,500 | 15.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,250 | 15.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,830 | 15.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,600 | 15.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $96,940 | 16.0% |
| Operations Manager | $85,930 | 18.0% |
| Plumber | $85,060 | 18.2% |
| Electrician | $82,700 | 18.7% |
| Accountant | $77,400 | 20.0% |
| Police Officer | $76,220 | 20.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $75,710 | 20.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $65,840 | 23.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,380 | 24.4% |
| Truck Driver | $60,970 | 25.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,930 | 25.4% |
| Carpenter | $60,520 | 25.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,990 | 32.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,940 | 34.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,250 | 35.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,080 | 35.1% |
| Firefighter | $37,410 | 41.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,680 | 42.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,650 | 44.7% |
| Cashier | $33,020 | 46.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $23,150 | 66.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Duluth?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $393 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $242,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,270 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Duluth, MN?
Renting in Duluth costs a median of about $1,291 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in Duluth?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,640 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Duluth cheap or expensive?
Duluth is rated OK: rent takes 20.9% of the typical household income of $74,208. It ranks 40th cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Duluth?
The median homeowner in Duluth pays $2,885 a year in property taxes, about 1.19% of the median home value.
Is Duluth more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Duluth?
The median home value in Duluth is $242,700, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
87,093 people live in Duluth. Numbers are typical (middle) values.