Duluth

Duluth, Minnesota Overview

Duluth faces challenges across several categories, earning a B grade (53.5/100) and ranking #17 of 20 cities in Minnesota. Even so, the city scores 75/100 in Affordability — a relative bright spot compared to its Outdoor Access score of 31/100.

Income & Employment in Duluth

Duluth’s median income of $61,163 is 29% below the state median, but positive population growth of 0.3% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%.

Safety in Duluth

Duluth reports 273.8 violent crimes per 100,000, roughly in line with the statewide rate of 256 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 2939.8 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Duluth

With a cost of living index of 87, Duluth is well below the national average of 100, offering meaningful savings on everyday expenses. The median home value is $225,700. Median monthly rent is $1,037. Renters spend 20.3% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Duluth

The adult obesity rate in Duluth is 35.1%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 10%. Residents report an average of 17.7 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Minnesota ranks #6 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Duluth

Duluth has a high school graduation rate of 77.7%. The student-teacher ratio is 14.4:1. Per-pupil spending is $15,814. The city has 21 public schools serving 9,880 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Duluth

The annual average temperature in Duluth is 48.9°F. Summers average 72.2°F. Winters average 25.3°F. Annual precipitation is 36.4 inches. The average commute of 15.3 minutes is notably short.

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