Cost of Living in St. Helens, OR
Population 14,152 · Oregon · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
St. Helens sits on the smaller end of the Oregon city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.
Located 20 miles northwest of Vancouver, St. Helens falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 20% lower than Vancouver's $440,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in St. Helens
The median home value in St. Helens is $350,900 — 15% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,269/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,123/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Oregon's top state income tax rate is 9.9% and the combined sales tax is 0.0%. The climate averages highs of 63.2°F and lows of 42.8°F. Overall, St. Helens has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.
🏠 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
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 47 | 51 | 56 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 81 | 82 | 76 | 64 | 53 | 46 |
| Low °F | 34 | 34 | 37 | 40 | 46 | 51 | 55 | 54 | 50 | 43 | 37 | 34 |
| Precip" | 6.54 | 4.62 | 4.54 | 3.08 | 2.49 | 1.37 | 0.48 | 0.52 | 1.56 | 3.60 | 6.26 | 7.25 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in St. Helens, OR?
St. Helens has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.
What is average rent in St. Helens, OR?
The median gross rent in St. Helens is $1,269 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in St. Helens?
The median home value in St. Helens is $350,900 according to 2023 Census ACS data.
What is the median income in St. Helens?
The median household income in St. Helens is $82,123 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in St. Helens, OR?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. Helens is 0.0%. The Oregon state income tax top rate is 9.9%.
Is St. Helens, OR affordable?
St. Helens is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).
What is the weather like in St. Helens?
St. Helens has average high temperatures of 63.2°F and average lows of 42.8°F. Annual precipitation is 42.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
St. Helens at a Glance
- Population
- 14,152
- Median Income
- $82,123
- Home Value
- $350,900
- Median Rent
- $1,269/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 63.2°F
- Sales Tax
- 0.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Oregon Rankings
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