salaryRent is higher than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are long, about 30.7 minutes each way. Most homes (91.1%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,240 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alabama cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alabama. It is number 101 of 120 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Helena?
Share of households by yearly income. 45.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Helena
| Size | Helena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,526 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,384 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Helena overall?
Everyday prices in Alabama overall are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Helena, so the Alabama figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Helena
Life in Helena
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Helena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $639 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $330,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $33,070 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Helena, AL?
Renting in Helena costs a median of about $1,656 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alabama median is $1,175.
How much do I need to make to live in Helena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,240 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Helena cheap or expensive?
Helena is rated Cheap: rent takes 16.0% of the typical household income of $124,177. It ranks 101st cheapest of 120 Alabama cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Helena?
The median homeowner in Helena pays $1,383 a year in property taxes, about 0.42% of the median home value.
Is Helena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Alabama are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Helena?
The median home value in Helena is $330,700, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
21,769 people live in Helena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.