McMinnville, OR vs St. Helens, OR

McMinnville, OR and St. Helens, OR have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.8% difference in their overall index. McMinnville scores 109 while St. Helens scores 105 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in McMinnville is $1,290/month compared to $1,269/month in St. Helens — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Helens is more affordable at $350,900 median vs $391,100.

Median household income in McMinnville is $70,060 compared to $82,123 in St. Helens (-14.7%). St. Helens offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of McMinnville spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in St. Helens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.9°F vs 53°F). St. Helens receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 37.6" in McMinnville.