Philomath, OR vs St. Helens, OR

St. Helens is moderately more affordable than Philomath, with a 6.1% lower cost of living index. Philomath scores 111 compared to 105 for St. Helens, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Philomath can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Philomath is $1,415/month compared to $1,269/month in St. Helens — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Helens is more affordable at $350,900 median vs $375,600.

Median household income in Philomath is $83,373 compared to $82,123 in St. Helens (+1.5%). Philomath does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Philomath spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 18.5% in St. Helens.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (52.2°F vs 53°F). St. Helens receives more rainfall at 42.3" per year compared to 41.5" in Philomath.