Duluth, MN vs St. Cloud, MN

Duluth, MN and St. Cloud, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Duluth scores 80 while St. Cloud scores 79 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Duluth is $1,037/month compared to $1,005/month in St. Cloud — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Cloud is more affordable at $212,800 median vs $225,700.

Median household income in Duluth is $66,263 compared to $61,112 in St. Cloud (+8.4%). While Duluth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Duluth spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 19.7% in St. Cloud.