| Index | Helena-West Helena | Arkansas | National |
| Cost of living | 81 | 86 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Housing | 48 | 67 | 100 |
| Transportation | 93 | 94 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 93 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 93 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 87 | 92 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Helena-West Helena is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Helena-West Helena is 81, which is 19% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Helena-West Helena stands out by reporting housing costs that are 52.3% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
Is Helena-West Helena affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Helena-West Helena, the median home price is 57.5% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 40.3% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Helena-West Helena boasting a median household income of $35,168, 56.8% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Helena-West Helena, the transportation index stands at 7.5% lower than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Helena-West Helena, the housing index comes in at 52.3% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Helena-West Helena, the utilities index is 0.2% higher than the national average.
The Helena-West Helena cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical city-to-city comparisons.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $80,577 | $6,715 | $1,880 | $2,418 |
| Renters | $23,672 | $1,973 | $552 | $710 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 11.625% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arkansas | 2% | 4.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jonestown, MS | 995 | 74 | 25.7% |
| Lula, MS | 217 | 75 | 25.1% |
| Coahoma, MS | 282 | 75 | 25.0% |
| Friars Point, MS | 1,294 | 76 | 23.6% |
| Rondo, AR | 125 | 77 | 23.0% |
| Helena-West Helena, AR | 10,702 | 81 | 19.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Palatka, FL | 10,701 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Pine Hill, NJ | 10,701 | 102 | 2.5% |
| Arizona City, AZ | 10,694 | 94 | 5.8% |
| Sebring, FL | 10,710 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC | 10,693 | n/a | |
| Helena-West Helena, AR | 10,702 | 81 | 19.3% |
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