Salary Needed to Live in Duluth as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $50,400/year to live comfortably in Duluth, MN, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $50,400/year to live comfortably in Duluth, MN. The bare-minimum salary is $43,589/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,033.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,688/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,200/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$50,400
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$43,589
$3,632/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,688
24% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Duluth
| Expense | Duluth | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $761 | $1,351 | -44% |
| Groceries | $272 | $207 | +31% |
| Utilities | $121 | $169 | -28% |
| Transportation | $341 | $316 | +8% |
| Car Insurance | $130 | $211 | -38% |
| Health Insurance | $444 | $630 | -30% |
| Internet | $62 | $65 | -5% |
| Phone | $82 | $85 | -4% |
| Dining & Social | $288 | $300 | -4% |
| Entertainment | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Personal Care | $72 | $75 | -4% |
| Total Monthly | $2,688 | $3,529 | -24% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,688
Target savings (10%):$345/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,033
Effective tax rate:26%
Gross annual salary needed:$50,400
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$761
Studio/1BR rent is 28% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
26%
Estimated federal plus MN state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$345/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
96/100
Duluth is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby midwest Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $761/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $619/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $43,589/year as the survival floor and $50,400/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Duluth
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Duluth?
A single person needs approximately $50,400/year ($4,200/month gross) to live comfortably in Duluth with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Duluth?
A studio/1br in Duluth costs approximately $761/month, which is the largest single expense at 28% of the total budget.
Is Duluth affordable for a single person?
Yes, Duluth is 24% more affordable than the national average for a single person.