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City Report · MN

Duluth

Pop. 87,093·49th most expensive in Minnesota·Duluth rents have dropped 16.9%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$1,458/mo
Year-over-Year
-16.9%
Month-over-Month
-1.3%
vs US Median
-$507
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Duluth · $1,458
More affordable than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
73/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Duluth's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,458/mo
Expected by trend
$1,645/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Duluth's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$848
1 BR
$972
2 BR
$1,236
3 BR
$1,666
4 BR+
$2,078
Research median
$1,236/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$17,496/yr
At $1,458/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 16.9% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-16.9% YoY, -1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Duluth, MN is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 44% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
87,093
Median income
$68,807
Median age
35.2
Renters
40.6%
Age distribution
17.6%
32.2%
22.6%
17.3%
Under 1817.6%
18–3432.2%
35–5422.6%
55–6410.3%
65+17.3%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
87.4%
White87.4%
Black2.8%
Hispanic2.6%
Asian1.7%
Other5.5%
Education (25+)
20.3%
31.6%
44%
No HS diploma4.2%
HS diploma20.3%
Some college31.6%
Bachelor's+44%
Housing tenure
59.4%
40.6%
Owner59.4%
Renter40.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Duluth, MN has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,243 → $1,458
up 17.3%
Income
$58,014 → $68,807
up 18.6%
Population
86,711 → 87,093
up 0.4%
Renter share
39.2% → 40.6%
+1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
40.4% → 44%
+3.6 pts
Median age
33.9 → 35.2
+1.3 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Duluth, MN has shifted from $1,243 to $1,458, up 17.3% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $58,014 to $68,807 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.6% shift. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 40.4% to 44% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Duluth, MN reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Duluth rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Duluth on your salary?

At $1,458/mo, how Duluth rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Duluth rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Duluth. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Duluth

About renting in Duluth, MN

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Duluth is $1,458/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $848/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,236/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $972/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,666/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($68,807/yr), Duluth ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 16.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Duluth an affordable city for renters?

Duluth is considered affordable for renters. At $1,458/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($68,807/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Duluth falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Duluth?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,458/mo in Duluth. The local median household income is $68,807/yr, meaning the typical Duluth household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Duluth?

Rent in Duluth has decreased 16.9% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Duluth neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Duluth are 55805 ($1,266/mo), 55806 ($1,276/mo), and 55812 ($1,511/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Duluth is $1,458/mo.

How does Duluth rent compare to other cities in Minnesota?

Duluth is one of the more affordable cities in Minnesota for rent, ranking #49 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,458/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Duluth?

Superior is nearby and more affordable at $1,248/mo, which is $210 less than Duluth.

What percentage of Duluth residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 40.6% of Duluth households are renters, while 59.4% are owner-occupied. Duluth leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Duluth rent compare to the national average?

Duluth's median rent of $1,458/mo is $507 (26%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Minnesota, it ranks #49 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,458/mo, rent takes ~25% of Duluth's median household income ($68,807/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Duluth 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.35–9.85%
Run the Duluth affordability calculator →
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Public schools near Duluth, MN

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