Cost of Living in Mentone, CA

Population 9,487 · California · Data vintage 2023

124
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Mentone a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $414,000. An unemployment rate of 1.9% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Mentone sits roughly 11 miles northeast of Moreno Valley — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Moreno Valley's $461,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 136
Rent 106

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Mentone

The median home value in Mentone is $414,200 — 36% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,390/month, 6% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,466/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Mentone has a cost of living index of 124 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$414,200
36% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$387,348
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,390/mo
6% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,500/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,195
1 BR
$1,241
2 BR
$1,544
3 BR
$2,163
4 BR
$2,556
Owner-occupied 63.8%
Renter-occupied 36.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,390
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,004/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
30.2 min
12% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.1%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.7%
Work from home
9.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 13.3%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 7.3%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$70,466
6% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,463
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
60% below avg
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Labor Force Participation
63.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.8%
Graduate degree 5.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.2
Male median age 35
Female median age 38.9

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 71 — Moderate
13.7%
Good air days/yr
214
Max AQI recorded
137
PM2.5 days
205
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mentone, CA?

Mentone has a cost index of 124 (100 = national average). It is 24% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mentone, CA?

The median gross rent in Mentone is $1,390 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mentone?

The median home value in Mentone is $414,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mentone?

The median household income in Mentone is $70,466 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mentone, CA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mentone is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.

Is Mentone, CA affordable?

Mentone is above average in cost of living, with an index of 124 — about 24% higher than the national average.