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City Report · OH

Mentor

Pop. 7,111·45th most expensive in Ohio·Mentor rents are up 9.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,642/mo
Year-over-Year
+9.4%
Month-over-Month
+3.4%
vs US Median
-$320
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Mentor · $1,642
More affordable than 66% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,642/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$66,000/yr
Local median income
$88,949/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Mentor's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$980
1 BR
$1,100
2 BR
$1,340
3 BR
$1,720
4 BR+
$1,850
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,340/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,642 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$19,704/yr
At $1,642/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 9.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+9.4% YoY, +3.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Mentor, OH is majority owner-occupied, 24.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
7,111
Median income
$88,949
Median age
44.4
Renters
38.1%
Age distribution
16.4%
25.1%
18.4%
20.6%
19.6%
Under 1816.4%
18–3425.1%
35–5418.4%
55–6420.6%
65+19.6%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
89.8%
White89.8%
Black3.4%
Hispanic3.5%
Asian1.2%
Other2.1%
Education (25+)
31.6%
38.8%
24.7%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma31.6%
Some college38.8%
Bachelor's+24.7%
Housing tenure
61.9%
38.1%
Owner61.9%
Renter38.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Mentor, OH has changed in 5 years

Income
$56,532 → $88,949
up 57.3%
Population
7,135 → 7,111
down 0.3%
Renter share
38.5% → 38.1%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
22% → 24.7%
+2.7 pts
Median age
45.4 → 44.4
-1.0 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $56,532 in 2021 to $88,949 more recently. College-educated residents now make up 24.7% of adults here, versus 22% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Mentor

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View Mentor rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Mentor on your salary?

At $1,642/mo, how Mentor rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Mentor rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Mentor. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Mentor

About renting in Mentor, OH

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Mentor is $1,642/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $980/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,340/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,100/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,720/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($88,949/yr), Mentor ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Mentor an affordable city for renters?

Mentor is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,642/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($88,949/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Mentor falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Mentor?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $66,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,642/mo in Mentor. The local median household income is $88,949/yr, meaning the typical Mentor household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Mentor?

Rent in Mentor has increased 9.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Mentor rent compare to other cities in Ohio?

Mentor is middle-of-the-pack for Ohio for rent, ranking #45 out of 124 tracked cities at $1,642/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Mentor?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Mentor ($1,642/mo): Euclid ($1,230/mo), Mayfield Heights ($1,319/mo), Willoughby ($1,486/mo).

What percentage of Mentor residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 38.1% of Mentor households are renters, while 61.9% are owner-occupied. Mentor leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Mentor rent compare to the national average?

Mentor's median rent of $1,642/mo is $320 (16%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Ohio, it ranks #45 out of 124 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,642/mo, rent takes ~22% of Mentor's median household income ($88,949/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Mentor 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.75–3.5%
Run the Mentor affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Mentor, OH

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