St. Helena 77 Exceptional
St. Helena Livability #88 ranked city in California#3,114 ranked city in the USARanks better than 89% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in St. Helena

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in St. Helena?

St. Helena, California is a small city with a population of 6,176 people. At 89%, the majority of the St. Helena population is White; this is followed by 2% Asian and 1% Black. Based on an average age of 51, St. Helena appears to be well-suited for seniors or retirees as the average age is well above the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in St. Helena. With an average one way commute time of only 18 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in St. Helena can be a good experience for anyone moving to the town. Having said that, in the state of California, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in St. Helena and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare St. Helena to California and the national average.

The livability score in St. Helena is 75 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 88th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, St. Helena is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that St. Helena ranks very well for crime (B-), education (B) and housing (B). There are some categories that St. Helena scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 172 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that St. Helena boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

The unemployment rate in St. Helena has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their St. Helena apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in St. Helena is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in St. Helena come in at $2,350,125, which is 221.2% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In St. Helena, the home price to income ratio is 15, which is 94.8% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Helena

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Compare St. Helena, CA Livability

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      St. Helena transportation information

      Statistic St. Helena California National
      Average one way commute18min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.8%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.5%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.1%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.1%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home11.6%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The St. Helena, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.