salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 92% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 10.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 56.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $140,040 a year. That is $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 633 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in St. Helena?
Share of households by yearly income. 56.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Helena
| Size | St. Helena | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,944 | $1,338 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,935 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,053 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Helena overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for St. Helena, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in St. Helena
Life in St. Helena
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Helena?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $7,932 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,647,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $164,770 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Helena, CA?
Renting in St. Helena costs a median of about $3,500+ a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Helena?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $140,040 a year, or $67 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Helena cheap or expensive?
St. Helena is rated OK: rent takes 26.2% of the typical household income of $160,427. It ranks 633rd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Helena?
The median homeowner in St. Helena pays $7,947 a year in property taxes, about 0.48% of the median home value.
Is St. Helena more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Helena?
The median home value in St. Helena is $1,647,700, about 10.3 times the typical yearly household income.
5,318 people live in St. Helena. Numbers are typical (middle) values.