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 $2,870 per month in McLean, VA vs $2,165 in Duluth, MN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,598 per month in McLean, VA vs $3,504 in Duluth, MN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,327 per month in McLean, VA vs $4,843 in Duluth, MN, rent included.

McLean, VA costs about 33% more than Duluth, MN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both McLean, VA and Duluth, MN sit above the global median – McLean, VA by 109%, Duluth, MN by 58%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.43 $13.43

$19.78 $19.78

-32.10%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$70.1 $70.1

$68.8 $68.8

1.95%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.63 $11.63

$9.88 $9.88

17.71%

Cappuccino

$5.22 $5.22

$5.16 $5.16

1.16%

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

$2.58 $2.58

$2.59 $2.59

-0.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.80 $1.80

12.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.82 $9.82

$6.38 $6.38

53.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.65 $8.65

$7.71 $7.71

12.19%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 $1.43

$0.85 $0.85

68.24%

White Bread (500g)

$4.54 $4.54

$2.96 $2.96

53.38%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$3.96 $3.96

-43.69%

Eggs

$4.87 $4.87

$4.13 $4.13

17.92%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.45 $16.45

$10.43 $10.43

57.72%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.29 $16.29

$10.33 $10.33

57.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.33 $19.33

$18.90 $18.90

2.28%

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$5.21 $5.21

-4.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.68 $1.68

$1.48 $1.48

13.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.11 $6.11

$2.69 $2.69

127.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$4.26 $4.26

24.65%

Potato (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$1.09 $1.09

185.32%

Onion (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.17 $2.17

-6.45%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.06 $2.06

$1.16 $1.16

77.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$1.42 $1.42

98.59%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.78 $13.78

$13.11 $13.11

5.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.12 $15.12

$15.82 $15.82

-4.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.77 $1.77

-0.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.17 $5.17

$2.78 $2.78

85.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.90 $1.90

30.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$39.45 $39.45

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.59 $1.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.53 $23.53

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 $0.85

$0.86 $0.86

-1.16%

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

$22.5K $22.5K

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

$23.5K $23.5K

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

$219 $219

$161 $161

36.19%

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

$49.06 $49.06

$43.25 $43.25

13.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.9 $54.9

$66.5 $66.5

-17.45%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$89.0 $89.0

$62.3 $62.3

42.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.49 $25.49

Cinema Ticket

$17.14 $17.14

$11.30 $11.30

51.68%

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

$1,926 $1,926

$1,044 $1,044

84.50%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$56.4K $56.4K

$10.0K $10.0K

462.22%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.64 $46.64

$58.5 $58.5

-20.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.10 $36.10

$44.48 $44.48

-18.84%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$69.4 $69.4

$101 $101

-31.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$64.6 $64.6

$84.9 $84.9

-23.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,842 $2,842

$1,300 $1,300

118.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,630 $1,630

$987 $987

65.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,950 $3,950

$2,284 $2,284

72.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,569 $3,569

$2,199 $2,199

62.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,433 $2,433

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,298 $2,298

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,812 $5,812

$3,768 $3,768

54.25%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.3

6.19

1.78%

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

Last update for McLean, VA: August 30, 2026

Last update for Duluth, MN: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,842 in McLean, VA versus $1,300 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 $70.0 in McLean, VA versus $69.0 in Duluth, MN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $468 vs $352 – making Duluth, MN the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 33%, 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 $4,304 per month in McLean, VA and $3,247 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 $2,870 in McLean, VA and $2,165 in Duluth, MN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,926 per month in McLean, VA and $1,044 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 $2,165, than in McLean, VA at $2,870. 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.