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City Report · AL

Helena

Pop. 21,769·7th most expensive in Alabama·Rental market data updated monthly for Helena, AL
Median rent (all units)
$1,944/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
-$18
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Helena · $1,944
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,944/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,840/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,944 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$23,328/yr
At $1,944/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, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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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

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View Helena rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Helena on your salary?

At $1,944/mo, how Helena rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Helena is $1,944/mo as of August 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 $1,944/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 $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,944/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 August 2026.

How does Helena rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Helena is one of the pricier cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #7 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,944/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Helena?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Helena ($1,944/mo): Hoover ($1,358/mo), Bessemer ($1,429/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.

How does Helena rent compare to the national average?

Helena's median rent of $1,944/mo is $18 (1%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #7 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,944/mo, rent takes ~20% of Helena's median household income ($115,139/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Helena 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Helena affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Helena
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Helena, AL

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