Cost of Living in St. Helena, NC

With a cost of living index of 101, St. Helena, NC is right around the national average in cost. Living here is 1% more expensive than the national average and 16% above the North Carolina state average of 84. St. Helena is a small community of 580 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in St. Helena's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,661 (26% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $209,200 (31% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 2.7x the median household income — well within traditional affordability guidelines.

The median household income in St. Helena is $77,000, which is 2% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 26% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

Everyday prices in the Wilmington, NC (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.