Burnsville, MN vs Duluth, MN

The cost of living difference between Burnsville, MN and Duluth, MN is dramatic. Duluth is 36.1% cheaper than Burnsville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Burnsville has a cost index of 110 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 Burnsville is $1,501/month compared to $1,037/month in Duluth — a 45% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Duluth is more affordable at $225,700 median vs $335,100.

Median household income in Burnsville is $83,953 compared to $66,263 in Duluth (+26.7%). The higher salaries in Burnsville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Burnsville spend roughly 21.5% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Duluth.