salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $32,440 a year. That is $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arkansas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Arkansas. It is number 15 of 71 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Helena-West Helena?
Share of households by yearly income. 5.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Helena-West Helena
| Size | Helena-West Helena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $508 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $680 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $930 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $976 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Helena-West Helena overall?
Everyday prices in Arkansas overall are 13% below the U.S. average (index 86.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Helena-West Helena, so the Arkansas figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Helena-West Helena
Life in Helena-West Helena
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Helena-West Helena?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $303 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $73,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $7,320 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Helena-West Helena, AR?
Renting in Helena-West Helena costs a median of about $811 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arkansas median is $1,068.
How much do I need to make to live in Helena-West Helena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $32,440 a year, or $16 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Helena-West Helena cheap or expensive?
Helena-West Helena is rated OK: rent takes 25.1% of the typical household income of $38,846. It ranks 15th cheapest of 71 Arkansas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Helena-West Helena?
The median homeowner in Helena-West Helena pays $681 a year in property taxes, about 0.93% of the median home value.
Is Helena-West Helena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Arkansas are 13% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Helena-West Helena?
The median home value in Helena-West Helena is $73,200, about 1.9 times the typical yearly household income.
8,935 people live in Helena-West Helena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.