Moving from Milwaukee to Duluth (2026)
Duluth has a COL index of 87 vs 89 for Milwaukee (100 = US average). You'd pay about 2% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$169/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
8987
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,350$1,200
per month
State tax
7.7%9.9%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,259$4,122
per month
Salary needed in Duluth to match your Milwaukee lifestyle
Based on the 2% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Milwaukee | Equivalent in Duluth |
|---|---|
| $40K | $39,101 |
| $50K | $48,876 |
| $60K | $58,652 |
| $75K | $73,315 |
| $80K | $78,202 |
| $100K | $97,753 |
| $120K | $117,303 |
| $150K | $146,629 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Milwaukee vs Duluth
| Expense | Milwaukee | Duluth |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,259 | $4,122 |
| 1BR rent | $1,350 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $372 | $369 |
| Transport | $72 | $60 |
| Utilities | $168 | $165 |
| Internet | $63 | $62 |
| Left after essentials | $2,234 | $2,266 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Duluth cheaper than Milwaukee?
Yes. Duluth has a cost of living index of 87 vs 89 for Milwaukee (100 = US average). That's about 2% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Milwaukee to Duluth?
On a $75K salary, moving from Milwaukee to Duluth could save roughly $169/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,028/year.
What salary do I need in Duluth to match my Milwaukee lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Milwaukee, you'd need roughly $73,315/year in Duluth. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Duluth to MilwaukeeMilwaukee vs Duluth — full comparisonMilwaukee cost of livingDuluth cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only