What is the cost of living in Helena, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Helena has an overall cost of living index of 102, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Helena has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Helena ranks as #98 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Helena ranks as the #18 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Helena, check out:
Helena Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Helena. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Helena is 94.
The Groceries index in Helena is 97.
The Health index in Helena is 112.
The Housing index in Helena is 100.
The Transportation index in Helena is 100.
The Utilities index in Helena is 90.
| Living Expense | Helena | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 102 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 112 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 90 | 95 | 100 |
Helena Cost Of Living Compared To Alabama Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Helena Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Helena, AL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alabama, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Helena is $363,042.
The Median Rent in Helena is $1,574.
The Median Income in Helena is $115,139.
The Home Value To Income in Helena is 3.2x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Helena is 0.16x.
Helena, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Helena Services costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Helena Groceries costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Helena Health costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Helena Transportation costs vs. Alabama
Helena SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Helena
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Helena. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Birmingham, AL has a cost of living index of 90, 0.9x Helena.
Hoover, AL has a cost of living index of 109, 1.1x Helena.
Alabaster, AL has a cost of living index of 100, 1.0x Helena.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Helena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 198,173 | 90 | 0.9x |
| Hoover, AL | 92,642 | 109 | 1.1x |
| Alabaster, AL | 33,917 | 100 | 1.0x |
| Homewood, AL | 27,829 | 124 | 1.2x |
| Bessemer, AL | 25,400 | 86 | 0.8x |
| Pelham, AL | 24,827 | 100 | 1.0x |
| Calera, AL | 17,714 | 98 | 1.0x |
| Hueytown, AL | 16,414 | 87 | 0.9x |
| Chelsea, AL | 16,260 | 107 | 1.0x |
| Fairfield, AL | 9,728 | 85 | 0.8x |
