C+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
15%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Helena Alabama National
Cost of living10388100
Goods & Services9896100
Groceries9796100
Health care9487100
Housing11572100
Transportation9191100
Utilities108102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Helena, AL

Understanding the cost of living in Helena can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Helena cost of living index is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

The cost of living in Helena aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Helena residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Helena Affordable?

Wondering if Helena is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Helena, for example, the median home price is 10% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 26.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Helena boasting a median household income of $89,982, which is 62.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Helena?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Helena, healthcare costs are 6.3% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Helena comes in at 7.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Helena cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Helena is 16% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Helena is 3% higher than the national average
  • Helena housing is 15% higher than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Helena

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Compare Helena, AL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$94,065$7,839$2,195$2,822
      Renters$39,167$3,264$914$1,175
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Helena, AL, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Helena, the median monthly income is $94,065 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,195 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $39,167, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $914 on monthly rental expenses.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.07$24.2617.3%
      Beauty Salon $45.74$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.6%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.284.1%
      Movie $12.54$12.133.3%
      Bowling $16.37$18.009.1%

      Groceries

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.01$5.843.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.66$1.575.5%
      Milk $4.54$4.672.9%
      Potatoes $5.23$4.936.0%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.40$10.410.1%

      Health Care

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $92.33$125.6826.5%
      Doctor $101.83$135.7825.0%
      Dentist $125.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.28$10.653.5%
      Lipitor $460.79$468.601.7%

      Housing

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Home Price $203,100.00$184,700.0010.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,935.73$2,346.6917.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,201.00$949.0026.6%

      Transportation

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.13$3.469.7%
      Tire Balancing $54.52$59.929.0%

      Utilities

      Item Helena National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $219.40$193.9913.1%
      Phone $188.55$192.251.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Brantleyville, AL8107722.6%
      Brighton, AL2,8738317.4%
      North Johns, AL1528317.4%
      Lipscomb, AL2,0558416.3%
      Midfield, AL4,9848614.3%
      Helena, AL18,6311032.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Imperial, CA18,63111919.0%
      Forest Park, OH18,632955.4%
      Cortland, NY18,633928.3%
      Culpeper, VA18,63311414.2%
      Creve Coeur, MO18,62712928.7%
      Helena, AL18,6311032.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.