A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
2%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Mentor Ohio National
Cost of living9889100
Groceries9997100
Health care9796100
Housing10274100
Transportation9596100
Utilities9696100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9395100
Household Items9997100
Education & Childcare9993100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Mentor, OH

Knowing the cost of living in Mentor allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Mentor stands at 98, marking it 2% lower than the national average.

In Mentor, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Mentor will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Mentor Affordable?

Is Mentor an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Mentor, the median home price is 3.8% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 1.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Mentor come in at $109,499, which is 34.6% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Mentor?

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Mentor comes in at 4% lower than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Mentor, the groceries index is 1% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Mentor, the healthcare costs are 3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Mentor cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Mentor is 10% higher than the Ohio average
  • The cost of living in Mentor is 2% lower than the national average
  • Mentor housing is 2% higher than the national average
  • Ohio general sales tax is 13% higher than the national average
  • Ohio state income tax is 6% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Mentor

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Compare Mentor, OH Cost of Living

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      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$119,088$9,924$2,779$3,573
      Renters$71,479$5,957$1,668$2,145
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Mentor, OH, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Mentor, homeowners have a median income of $119,088. Using that number, a maximum of $2,779 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $71,479, which means there is a maximum of $1,668 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Ohio Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Ohio 5.75% 8%

      Ohio Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Ohio 2.76% 3.99%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Cleveland, OH17,5638020.2%
      Kinsman Center, OH6748218.1%
      Euclid, OH48,2758515.0%
      Fairport Harbor, OH3,1688811.7%
      Painesville, OH20,5748811.7%
      Mentor, OH48,930981.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Chesterfield, MO48,90212222.4%
      Marana, AZ48,96711616.2%
      Beavercreek, OH48,8761021.9%
      East Providence, RI48,8491088.4%
      East Honolulu, HI49,017226125.6%
      Mentor, OH48,930981.5%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.