salaryRent is higher than in 67% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.4 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.3 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $78,360 a year. That is $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Oregon cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Oregon. It is number 73 of 105 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in St. Helens?
Share of households by yearly income. 24.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Helens
| Size | St. Helens | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,239 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,266 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,872 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,956 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Helens overall?
Everyday prices in Oregon overall are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for St. Helens, so the Oregon figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in St. Helens
Life in St. Helens
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Helens?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $776 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $394,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $39,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Helens, OR?
Renting in St. Helens costs a median of about $1,959 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Oregon median is $1,811.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Helens?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $78,360 a year, or $38 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Helens cheap or expensive?
St. Helens is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $89,370. It ranks 73rd cheapest of 105 Oregon cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Helens?
The median homeowner in St. Helens pays $2,916 a year in property taxes, about 0.74% of the median home value.
Is St. Helens more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Oregon are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Helens?
The median home value in St. Helens is $394,200, about 4.4 times the typical yearly household income.
14,258 people live in St. Helens. Numbers are typical (middle) values.