Cost of Living in Mendota Heights, MN

Population 11,644 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

147
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mendota Heights sits on the smaller end of the Minnesota city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.0% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 5 miles southwest of St. Paul, Mendota Heights falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 80% higher than St. Paul's $280,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 165
Rent 118

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

About the Cost of Living in Mendota Heights

The median home value in Mendota Heights is $504,100 — 65% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,557/month, 18% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $132,935/year is 78% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. The climate averages highs of 55.4°F and lows of 38.4°F, with about 51.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Mendota Heights has a cost of living index of 147 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 47% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$504,100
65% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$551,385
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,557/mo
18% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.0x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.1%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$702
1 BR
$784
2 BR
$937
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,537
Owner-occupied 80.3%
Renter-occupied 19.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,557
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,171/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
22.6 min
16% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
28.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.0%
Carpooled
3.6%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
0.6%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
28.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.4%
State rate 6.9%
Avg local rate 0.6%
Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$132,935
78% above avg
Per Capita Income
$69,918
Unemployment Rate
1.0%
79% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.6%
Labor Force Participation
64.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 37.7%
Graduate degree 30.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.8
Male median age 47.3
Female median age 46.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
55.4°F
Avg Low
38.4°F
Annual Precip
31.6"
Annual Snowfall
51.2"
23° 45° 68° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 242942576979838173584229
Low °F 91325385060656354412815
Precip" 0.890.871.682.913.914.584.064.343.022.581.611.17
Snow" 11.09.58.23.50.00.00.00.00.00.86.811.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
50.4%
Good air days/yr
185
Max AQI recorded
355
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
15.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
12
Public schools
5,338
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mendota Heights, MN?

Mendota Heights has a cost index of 147 (100 = national average). It is 47% above the national average.

What is average rent in Mendota Heights, MN?

The median gross rent in Mendota Heights is $1,557 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mendota Heights?

The median home value in Mendota Heights is $504,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mendota Heights?

The median household income in Mendota Heights is $132,935 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mendota Heights, MN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mendota Heights is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.

Is Mendota Heights, MN affordable?

Mendota Heights is above average in cost of living, with an index of 147 — about 47% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Mendota Heights?

Mendota Heights has average high temperatures of 55.4°F and average lows of 38.4°F. Annual precipitation is 31.6". Average annual snowfall is 51.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Mendota Heights at a Glance

Population
11,644
Median Income
$132,935
Home Value
$504,100
Median Rent
$1,557/mo
Unemployment
1.0%
Avg High Temp
55.4°F
Sales Tax
7.4%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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