Bloomington, MN vs Duluth, MN

The cost of living difference between Bloomington, MN and Duluth, MN is dramatic. Duluth is 38.2% cheaper than Bloomington, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bloomington has a cost index of 111 while Duluth sits at 80, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,526/month compared to $1,037/month in Duluth — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Duluth is more affordable at $225,700 median vs $346,200.

Median household income in Bloomington is $90,677 compared to $66,263 in Duluth (+36.8%). The higher salaries in Bloomington partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Duluth.