Home project costs in Duluth, MN
Every project we cover, priced for the Duluth metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Duluth area is 88.8 against 100 for the US, which puts Duluth 262nd among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 95.3. BLS counts roughly 124,710 jobs here.
In Duluth, 27 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 7 below, and 4 are level with it. The biggest premiums are roof replacement (+17%), French drain (+17%) and metal roof (+16%); the biggest discounts are front door (−3%), hardwood flooring (−2%) and kitchen remodel (−2%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Duluth, 6 miles away) shows a January average low of 2°F, a July average high of 78°F and 31 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through September; for exterior installation, they are April through October.
What local trades earn in Duluth
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $23.29 | $29.49 | $37.00 | $22.66 | 1.30 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.05 | $29.10 | $36.50 | $29.12 | 1.00 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $29.89 | $36.08 | $40.28 | $28.78 | 1.25 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $28.49 | $40.89 | $47.17 | $30.67 | 1.33 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $28.31 | $33.81 | $40.26 | $27.41 | 1.23 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $29.03 | $39.76 | $46.53 | $30.38 | 1.31 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $28.52 | $35.03 | $43.29 | $26.65 | 1.31 |
Concrete & paving in Duluth
The 7 jobs here average +10% versus the US in Duluth, from +7% (concrete slab) to +14% (concrete driveway).
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Duluth | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,500 | +7% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Duluth | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,600 | +14% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Duluth | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,100 | +8% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Duluth | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,300 | +11% |
| Paver patio cost in Duluth | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Concrete patio cost in Duluth | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,400 | +9% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Duluth | 400 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,750 | +10% |
Decks & outdoor in Duluth
The 2 jobs here average +1% versus the US in Duluth, from level (wood deck) to +2% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Duluth | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
| Composite deck cost in Duluth | 300 sq ft | $12,200 – $24,500 | +2% |
Building & additions in Duluth
Across these 2 projects, Duluth averages +6% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +6% and detached garage lowest at +5%.
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Duluth | 576 sq ft | $30,500 – $61,200 | +5% |
| Home addition cost in Duluth | 300 sq ft | $40,500 – $81,800 | +6% |
Doors & windows in Duluth
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Duluth, from −3% (front door) to +1% (patio door).
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Duluth | 1 door | $710 – $3,650 | −1% |
| Storm door cost in Duluth | 1 door | $350 – $930 | −1% |
| Front door cost in Duluth | 1 door | $500 – $2,400 | −3% |
| Window replacement cost in Duluth | 10 windows | $4,500 – $14,800 | −1% |
| Patio door cost in Duluth | 1 door | $590 – $6,050 | +1% |
Fencing in Duluth
The 4 jobs here average +4% versus the US in Duluth, from level (vinyl fence) to +9% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Duluth | 150 linear ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | +2% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Duluth | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $9,150 | level |
| Chain-link fence cost in Duluth | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,750 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Duluth | 150 linear ft | $4,000 – $11,800 | +4% |
Roofing & exterior in Duluth
The 5 jobs here average +10% versus the US in Duluth, from +2% (attic insulation) to +17% (roof replacement).
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Duluth | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $7,400 – $14,400 | +17% |
| Metal roof cost in Duluth | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $12,700 – $37,000 | +16% |
| Gutters cost in Duluth | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,550 | +10% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Duluth | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,750 – $26,200 | +4% |
| Attic insulation cost in Duluth | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,050 | +2% |
Kitchen & bath in Duluth
Across these 5 projects, Duluth averages +5% against national midpoints. Shower pan is highest at +14% and kitchen remodel lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Duluth | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,100 | level |
| Shower pan cost in Duluth | 1 pan | $1,150 – $3,100 | +14% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Duluth | 120 sq ft | $18,200 – $31,000 | −2% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Duluth | 45 sq ft | $5,050 – $25,000 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Duluth | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +7% |
Landscaping & drainage in Duluth
Across these 5 projects, Duluth averages +11% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +17% and sod installation lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Duluth | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Retaining wall cost in Duluth | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,150 – $14,500 | +11% |
| Sod installation cost in Duluth | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Duluth | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,550 – $11,400 | +14% |
| Inground pool cost in Duluth | 450 sq ft | $40,800 – $127,000 | +13% |
Flooring & interior in Duluth
The 3 jobs here average +2% versus the US in Duluth, from −2% (hardwood flooring) to +8% (tile flooring).
| Project | Size | Duluth range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Duluth | 500 sq ft | $5,400 – $12,200 | −2% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Duluth | 500 sq ft | $2,000 – $7,000 | level |
| Tile flooring cost in Duluth | 200 sq ft | $2,950 – $10,500 | +8% |
Duluth against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Duluth prices +6% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 2 price higher and 4 lower. Fargo is the lowest at −2% (215 miles) and Minneapolis the highest at +15% (160 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MNthis page | 88.8 | 95.3 | +6% | |
| St. Cloud, MN | 155 miles | 87.6 | 95.4 | +6% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 160 miles | 104.8 | 103.1 | +15% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 175 miles | 92.8 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Wausau, WI | 210 miles | 92.7 | 93.8 | level |
| Fargo, ND | 215 miles | 90.9 | 95.7 | −2% |
| Rochester, MN | 235 miles | 90.8 | 95.4 | +6% |