Cost of Living in St. Helena, CA
Population 5,378 · California · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
St. Helena's housing market is in a category of its own — median home values around $2 million sit roughly 6 times the US figure, reflecting a market driven as much by second-home and resort buyers as by year-round residents.
St. Helena sits roughly 14 miles east of Santa Rosa — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 187% higher than Santa Rosa's $685,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in St. Helena
The median home value in St. Helena is $1,964,300 — 544% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,391/month, 82% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $158,218/year is 112% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. California's top state income tax rate is 13.3% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, St. Helena has a cost of living index of 459 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 359% more expensive.
St. Helena has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in St. Helena, CA?
St. Helena has a cost index of 459 (100 = national average). It is 359% above the national average.
What is average rent in St. Helena, CA?
The median gross rent in St. Helena is $2,391 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in St. Helena?
The median home value in St. Helena is $1,964,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in St. Helena?
The median household income in St. Helena is $158,218 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in St. Helena, CA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. Helena is 8.7%. The California state income tax top rate is 13.3%.
Is St. Helena, CA affordable?
St. Helena is above average in cost of living, with an index of 459 — about 359% higher than the national average.
St. Helena at a Glance
- Population
- 5,378
- Median Income
- $158,218
- Home Value
- $1,964,300
- Median Rent
- $2,391/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Sales Tax
- 8.7%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data