How much does it cost to rent in Helena, AL?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Helena, AL is $1,913. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Helena cheaper than other Alabama cities?

Helena is one of the pricier cities in Alabama, ranking #6 out of 70 cities tracked at $1,913/mo.

When was Helena rent data last updated?

Helena rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · AL

Helena

Name: Average Rent Prices in Helena, AL
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 21,769·6th most expensive in Alabama·Rental market data updated monthly for Helena, AL

Median rent (all units)

$1,913/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

+1.8%

vs US Median

-$52

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Helena · $1,913

More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

20% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,913/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$77,000/yr

Local median income

$115,139/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Helena's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,450

1 BR

$1,660

2 BR

$1,840

3 BR

$2,300

4 BR+

$2,600

Research median

$1,840/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,956/yr

At $1,913/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Helena, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 51.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

21,769

Median income

$115,139

Median age

37.8

Renters

8.9%

Age distribution

27.6%

18.8%

30.9%

12.6%

Under 1827.6%

18–3418.8%

35–5430.9%

55–6410.1%

65+12.6%

Gender

47.8%

52.2%

Male47.8%

Female52.2%

Race & ethnicity

71.7%

18%

White71.7%

Black18%

Hispanic4.7%

Asian2.5%

Other3%

Education (25+)

17.6%

28.5%

51.4%

No HS diploma2.5%

HS diploma17.6%

Some college28.5%

Bachelor's+51.4%

Housing tenure

91.1%

Owner91.1%

Renter8.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Helena, AL has changed in 5 years

Income

$96,173 → $115,139

up 19.7%

Population

20,680 → 21,769

up 5.3%

Renter share

9.3% → 8.9%

-0.4 pts

Bachelor's+

46.4% → 51.4%

+5.0 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Helena, AL now reports about $115,139, up from $96,173 in 2021. Census counts show Helena, AL adding about 1,089 residents over the five-year window, up 5.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 46.4% to 51.4% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Helena

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View Helena rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Helena on your salary?

At $1,913/mo, how Helena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $81,253/yr · Rent = 28.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $57,689/yr · Rent = 39.8% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $66,452/yr · Rent = 34.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $118,775/yr · Rent = 19.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $151,764/yr · Rent = 15.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $54,017/yr · Rent = 42.5% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $48,771/yr · Rent = 47.1% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $60,114/yr · Rent = 38.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Helena rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Helena. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Helena

About renting in Helena, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Helena is $1,913/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,450/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,840/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,660/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,300/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($115,139/yr), Helena ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Helena an affordable city for renters?

Helena is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,913/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($115,139/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Helena falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Helena?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,913/mo in Helena. The local median household income is $115,139/yr, meaning the typical Helena household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Helena?

Rent in Helena has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Helena rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Helena is one of the pricier cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #6 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,913/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Helena?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Helena ($1,913/mo): Hoover ($1,378/mo), Bessemer ($1,400/mo), Montevallo ($1,745/mo).

What percentage of Helena residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 8.9% of Helena households are renters, while 91.1% are owner-occupied. Helena leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.