Cost of Living Comparison Between McLean, VA and Duluth, MN Cost of Living Comparison Between McLean, VA and Duluth, MN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,975 per month in McLean, VA vs $2,188 in Duluth, MN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,589 per month in McLean, VA vs $3,476 in Duluth, MN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,202 per month in McLean, VA vs $4,763 in Duluth, MN, rent included.

McLean, VA costs about 36% more than Duluth, MN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both McLean, VA and Duluth, MN sit above the global median – McLean, VA by 123%, Duluth, MN by 64%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.03 $18.03

$17.70 $17.70

1.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.1 $59.1

$65.6 $65.6

-9.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.08 $12.08

$9.93 $9.93

21.65%

Cappuccino

$5.30 $5.30

$5.52 $5.52

-3.99%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$2.70 $2.70

-20.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.87 $1.87

-18.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.58 $6.58

$6.32 $6.32

4.11%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.54 $7.54

$6.98 $6.98

8.02%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$0.91 $0.91

25.27%

White Bread (500g)

$3.62 $3.62

$2.84 $2.84

27.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.69 $3.69

-30.35%

Eggs

$4.83 $4.83

$4.10 $4.10

17.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.45 $17.45

$11.45 $11.45

52.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.06 $10.06

$11.11 $11.11

-9.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.18 $20.18

$17.61 $17.61

14.59%

Apples (1kg)

$7.22 $7.22

$6.27 $6.27

15.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.48 $1.48

12.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.07 $8.07

$7.63 $7.63

5.77%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.80 $7.80

$5.43 $5.43

43.65%

Potato (1kg)

$4.77 $4.77

$3.09 $3.09

54.37%

Onion (1kg)

$3.62 $3.62

$3.73 $3.73

-2.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.88 $2.88

$1.11 $1.11

159.46%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 $0.98

$2.22 $2.22

-55.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.95 $7.95

$11.20 $11.20

-29.02%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.21 $16.21

$16.26 $16.26

-0.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.75 $1.75

0.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.93 $3.93

-4.83%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.30 $2.30

7.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.63 $39.63

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.42 $4.42

$4.34 $4.34

1.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.69 $1.69

-17.75%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.16 $29.16

$24.05 $24.05

21.25%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.79 $0.79

10.13%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.5K $26.5K

$22.4K $22.4K

18.20%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.3K $24.3K

$23.4K $23.4K

3.54%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$214 $214

$161 $161

32.67%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.2 $53.2

$43.34 $43.34

22.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.5 $61.5

$69.6 $69.6

-11.63%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$89.7 $89.7

$62.5 $62.5

43.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.54 $25.54

Cinema Ticket

$15.46 $15.46

$14.43 $14.43

7.14%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,954 $1,954

$1,036 $1,036

88.56%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$56.3K $56.3K

$10.0K $10.0K

461.74%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.78 $47.78

$64.0 $64.0

-25.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.76 $47.76

$44.29 $44.29

7.83%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.6 $69.6

$88.6 $88.6

-21.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$64.0 $64.0

$117 $117

-45.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,765 $2,765

$1,213 $1,213

127.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,629 $1,629

$904 $904

80.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,820 $3,820

$2,293 $2,293

66.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,290 $3,290

$1,985 $1,985

65.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,380 $2,380

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,269 $2,269

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,823 $5,823

$3,779 $3,779

54.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.46

6.37

1.41%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for McLean, VA: July 11, 2026

Last update for Duluth, MN: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,765 in McLean, VA versus $1,213 in Duluth, MN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 54% higher in McLean, VA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $59.0 in McLean, VA versus $66.0 in Duluth, MN. Groceries tell a different story – $451 in McLean, VA vs $406 in Duluth, MN – so Duluth, MN wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

McLean, VA vs Duluth, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – McLean, VA is pricier by about 36%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,463 per month in McLean, VA and $3,283 in Duluth, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Duluth, MN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,975 in McLean, VA and $2,188 in Duluth, MN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,954 per month in McLean, VA and $1,036 in Duluth, MN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Duluth, MN, where all-in costs run around $2,188, than in McLean, VA at $2,975. In Duluth, MN it covers expenses comfortably, while in McLean, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Duluth, MN – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Duluth, MN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, McLean, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.