| Index | Mendota Heights | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 124 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 180 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 99 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Mendota Heights? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Mendota Heights stands at 124, making it 24% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Mendota Heights is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Mendota Heights falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
When it comes to the cost of living in Mendota Heights, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 79.9% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is Mendota Heights affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Mendota Heights, the median home price is 117.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 8.4% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Mendota Heights boasting a median household income of $178,997, 120.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Mendota Heights, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.875%, and income tax rates start at 5.35%.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Mendota Heights, the transportation index is 0.9% lower than the national average.
The Mendota Heights cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| 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 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 7.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Minnesota | 5.35% | 9.85% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Landfall, MN | 819 | 72 | 27.9% |
| South End, MN | 66 | 78 | 22.1% |
| Hilltop, MN | 1,045 | 80 | 20.0% |
| St. Anthony city (Stearns County), MN | 108 | 84 | 16.4% |
| St. Paul Park, MN | 5,562 | 101 | 1.2% |
| Mendota Heights, MN | 11,733 | 124 | 24.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pontiac, IL | 11,732 | 88 | 12.5% |
| Gardnerville Ranchos, NV | 11,732 | 123 | 23.0% |
| Piedmont, CA | 11,734 | 351 | 251.3% |
| Upper Montclair, NJ | 11,734 | 184 | 84.3% |
| Coldstream, BC | 11,728 | n/a | |
| Mendota Heights, MN | 11,733 | 124 | 24.5% |
Here are the best places to live in Minnesota
Check out the 10 safest cities in Minnesota
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Minnesota
Most Dangerous States In The US