F
23%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
80%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Mendota Heights Minnesota National
Cost of living12399100
Goods & Services99100100
Groceries104101100
Health care96102100
Housing180100100
Transportation9796100
Utilities9495100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Mendota Heights, MN

Understanding the cost of living in Mendota Heights can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Mendota Heights cost of living index is 123, which is 23% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, Mendota Heights may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Mendota Heights falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Mendota Heights, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 79.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Mendota Heights Affordable?

Is Mendota Heights an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Mendota Heights is 117.8% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 8.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Mendota Heights has a median household income of $178,997, which is 120.1% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Mendota Heights?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Mendota Heights, healthcare costs are 4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Mendota Heights displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Mendota Heights is 24% higher than the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in Mendota Heights is 23% higher than the national average
  • Mendota Heights housing is 80% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 106% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Mendota Heights

See all the best places to live around Mendota Heights

Compare Mendota Heights, MN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$197,315$16,443$4,604$5,920
      Renters$78,359$6,530$1,828$2,351
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Mendota Heights is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Mendota Heights has a median income of about $197,315 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $4,604 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $78,359. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,828 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Minnesota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Minnesota 6.875% 7.875%

      Minnesota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Minnesota 5.35% 9.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item Mendota Heights National avg. Difference
      Haircut $30.24$27.629.5%
      Beauty Salon $42.42$51.1117.0%
      Toothpaste $3.99$4.092.5%
      Shampoo $2.04$1.5432.3%
      Movie $11.86$12.887.9%
      Yoga $30.49$19.6655.1%

      Groceries

      Item Mendota Heights National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.87$7.702.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.49$1.6610.4%
      Milk $4.62$4.732.4%
      Potatoes $5.03$5.264.3%
      Pizza $13.68$12.767.2%
      Beer $9.62$10.558.8%

      Health Care

      Item Mendota Heights National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $128.18$140.068.5%
      Doctor $181.50$153.8218.0%
      Dentist $102.50$123.1516.8%
      Ibuprofen $11.92$11.731.6%
      Lipitor $20.56$23.6112.9%

      Housing

      Item Mendota Heights National avg. Difference
      Home Price $711,309.00$326,622.00117.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,900.18$2,480.2523.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,322.00$1,444.008.4%

      Transportation

      Item Mendota Heights National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.94$3.063.7%
      Tire Balancing $64.14$65.211.6%

      Utilities

      Item Mendota Heights National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $201.02$220.128.7%
      Phone $194.82$195.710.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Landfall, MN8197128.9%
      South End, MN667623.7%
      Hilltop, MN1,0457822.5%
      St. Anthony city (Stearns County), MN1088119.2%
      St. Paul Park, MN5,5621010.6%
      Mendota Heights, MN11,73312323.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Pontiac, IL11,732919.4%
      Gardnerville Ranchos, NV11,73211919.3%
      Piedmont, CA11,734350249.7%
      Upper Montclair, NJ11,73417978.6%
      Coldstream, BC11,728n/a 
      Mendota Heights, MN11,73312323.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.