Helena: Housing & Real Estate
Helena homes sell at a median $330,700 (estimated market value runs 9% higher at $360,991), with median rent $1,574 (1.1× higher than Shelby County median $1,401; 1.6× higher than Alabama median $1,007). Homeownership rate: 91.1%. That's about the same as the Shelby County median ($326,100); 1.6× higher than the Alabama median ($209,900). Market is warm. Vacancy rate 5.5%. New construction makes up 22.3% of stock. 1 nursing facility on file. A municipal building code is in effect.
- 2.9× annual income — home value vs. household income (vs Alabama 3.3×).
- 17.5 years to break even renting at the median (vs Alabama 15y).
- 4-BR rent is 1.8× a studio — rent gradient by unit size.
- Median rent runs 24% above HUD 2-BR FMR — local market vs federal subsidy benchmark.
Home Values & Rent
Median home value $330,700 — 1.7× the Alabama median ($196,300). Median rent $1,574/month. homeownership rate 91.1% — above the U.S. share of ~65%.
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 2.9× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 16.4% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | very affordable |
| Fair Market Rent · Studio rent | $1,024 (vs Alabama $860) |
| Fair Market Rent · One-bedroom rent | $1,155 (vs Alabama $972) |
| Fair Market Rent · Two-bedroom rent | $1,266 (vs Alabama $1,169) |
| Fair Market Rent · Three-bedroom rent | $1,583 (vs Alabama $1,490) |
| Fair Market Rent · Four-bedroom rent | $1,801 (vs Alabama $1,548) |
| Fair Market Rent · HUD FMR area | Birmingham-Hoover, AL HUD Metro FMR Area |
| Fair Market Rent · Fiscal year | FY2026 |
| Home Value Estimate | $360,991 |
| Median Home Value | $330,700 (vs Alabama $196,300) |
| Median Rent | $1,574 (vs Alabama $1,068) |
Sources: HUD FMR FY2026 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, B25077 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Tenure & Occupancy
Owner-occupied vs renter-occupied housing units, plus vacancy rates.
| Housing Market · Market temperature | warm |
|---|---|
| Housing Market · Vacancy rate | 5.5% |
| Housing Market · New construction (% of stock) | 22.3% |
| Housing Market · Price Appreciation 2Yr | 13.0% |
| Housing Orgs · Total count | 3 |
Sources: IRS BMF NTEE L
Utilities
Electricity, water, and broadband infrastructure serving residents. Broadband percentages reflect the share of premises that can subscribe to service at the listed speed (FCC Form 477).
Facilities (1)
| Broadband · % of premises with 25/3 Mbps broadband | 100.0% (at Alabama median) |
|---|---|
| Broadband · % of premises with 100/20 Mbps broadband | 100.0% (at Alabama median) |
| Broadband · % of premises with 250/25 Mbps broadband | 100.0% (at Alabama median) |
| Broadband · % of premises with 1 Gbps / 100 Mbps broadband | 85.1% (vs Alabama 63.5%) |
| Broadband · Broadband-capable premises | 8,321 |
| Electricity · Electricity rate (¢/kWh) | 15.18¢/kWh |
| Electricity · Customers | 2398172 |
| Electricity · Revenue Millions | $4,993 |
| Mobile Broadband · 3G mobile coverage | 0% |
| Mobile Broadband · 4G mobile coverage | 100% (at Alabama median) |
| Mobile Broadband · 5G mobile coverage | 99% (at Alabama median) |
Sources: FCC BDC Jun 2025 · EIA Annual Retail Sales 2023 · FCC BDC Mobile 2024 · Refreshed unknown
Charging & Mobility
| Ev Charging · Stations | 1 |
|---|---|
| Ev Charging · Public Stations | 1 |
| Ev Charging · L2 Ports | 2 |
Sources: DOE AFDC API
Other
| Homeownership Rate | 91.1% (vs Alabama 62.3%) |
|---|---|
| Median Year Built | 2001 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12