| Index | St. Helens | Oregon | National |
| Cost of living | 114 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 110 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 105 | 100 |
| Housing | 122 | 124 | 100 |
| Transportation | 116 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 105 | 104 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 120 | 109 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in St. Helens? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in St. Helens stands at 114, making it 14% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the St. Helens cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 22% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Is St. Helens 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 St. Helens, the median home price is 30.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 1.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with St. Helens boasting a median household income of $85,211, 4.8% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In St. Helens, the groceries index is 9.9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In St. Helens, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 0%, and income tax rates kick off at 4.75%.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In St. Helens, the transportation index is 15.5% higher than the national average.
The St. Helens cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $119,067 | $9,922 | $2,778 | $3,572 |
| Renters | $48,633 | $4,053 | $1,135 | $1,459 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Oregon | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Oregon | 4.75% | 9.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Deer Island, OR | 108 | 100 | 0.3% |
| Rainier, OR | 2,152 | 109 | 9.4% |
| Prescott, OR | 88 | 113 | 12.9% |
| Walnut Grove, WA | 9,546 | 115 | 14.9% |
| Woodland, WA | 6,439 | 117 | 17.2% |
| St. Helens, OR | 14,078 | 114 | 14.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Marshall, MN | 14,075 | 92 | 7.9% |
| Forest City, FL | 14,081 | 117 | 16.7% |
| Andrews, TX | 14,081 | 98 | 1.8% |
| Royse City, TX | 14,081 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Waimalu, HI | 14,084 | 155 | 55.3% |
| St. Helens, OR | 14,078 | 114 | 14.0% |
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