C+
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
10%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 California National
Cost of living104140100
Goods & Services104111100
Groceries104112100
Health care96109100
Housing90196100
Transportation120126100
Utilities140127100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Mendota, CA

Understanding the cost of living in Mendota 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 cost of living index is 104, which is 4% 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.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Mendota are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Mendota can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Mendota Affordable?

Is Mendota 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 is 6% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 19.5% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Mendota has a median household income of $36,376, which is 34.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Mendota?

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, the transportation index is 20% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Mendota, healthcare costs are 4.1% lower than the national average.

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 Mendota comes in at 40.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Mendota, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Mendota is 25% lower than the California average
  • The cost of living in Mendota is 4% higher than the national average
  • Mendota housing is 10% lower than the national average
  • California general sales tax is 42% higher than the national average
  • California state income tax is 61% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Mendota

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Compare Mendota, CA 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$53,255$4,438$1,243$1,598
      Renters$24,587$2,049$574$738
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Mendota 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 has a median income of about $53,255 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,243 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $24,587. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $574 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      California Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      California 7.25% 10.5%

      California Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      California 1% 13.3%

      Goods & Services

      Item Mendota National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.83$24.2610.6%
      Beauty Salon $76.57$45.5668.0%
      Toothpaste $3.86$3.704.3%
      Shampoo $1.56$1.2821.9%
      Movie $14.64$12.1320.6%
      Bowling $23.78$18.0032.1%

      Groceries

      Item Mendota National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.21$5.846.3%
      Fried Chicken $2.10$1.5733.7%
      Milk $4.99$4.676.9%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.930.9%
      Pizza $15.69$12.0929.8%
      Beer $10.96$10.415.3%

      Health Care

      Item Mendota National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $157.88$125.6825.6%
      Doctor $166.71$135.7822.8%
      Dentist $148.27$113.2930.9%
      Ibuprofen $11.69$10.659.8%
      Lipitor $498.45$468.606.4%

      Housing

      Item Mendota National avg. Difference
      Home Price $173,600.00$184,700.006.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $4,545.90$2,346.6993.7%
      Apartment Rent $764.00$949.0019.5%

      Transportation

      Item Mendota National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.63$3.4633.9%
      Tire Balancing $70.51$59.9217.7%

      Utilities

      Item Mendota National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $299.78$193.9954.5%
      Phone $191.56$192.250.4%
      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.
      Firebaugh, CA7,7721044.0%
      San Joaquin, CA4,0251044.4%
      South Dos Palos, CA1,1671055.4%
      Tranquillity, CA80711313.3%
      La Vina, CA20313029.9%
      Mendota, CA12,1731044.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Parker, SC12,1758614.2%
      Braselton, GA12,17811414.3%
      Abbeville, LA12,1678416.0%
      Lake City, FL12,1668811.8%
      Escanaba, MI12,1808217.5%
      Mendota, CA12,1731044.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.