Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Helena, AL

    Is Helena a good place to live?

    Watch Helena

    Helena ranks #2 of 25 Alabama cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (82/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 2.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $292,700
    +6.2% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,420
    per month
    Household income
    $109,590
    median
    Unemployment
    2.1%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Helena

    The median home value in Helena is $292,700 and median rent is $1,420 a month, against a median household income of $109,590. Homes cost about 2.7× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Helena crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Alabama the 2025 rate was 353 violent and 1,501 property crimes per 100,000 people — #23 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Helena, AL

    Helena has about 21,452 residents, 2.1% unemployment and 32% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Helena with

    Helena vs HuntsvilleHelena vs BirminghamHelena vs MontgomeryHelena vs MobileHelena vs TuscaloosaHelena vs HooverHelena vs AuburnHelena vs Dothan

    More: Where to move in Alabama · Best counties in Alabama

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report