Very AffordableHigh CrimeKIPP DELTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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Helena-West Helena is a small town of 9,470 in Arkansas, with a median household income of $31,118
and a 16.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
Helena-West Helena stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Helena-West Helena is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Helena-West Helena city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 84.9
Helena-West Helena's overall cost of living index is 84.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Helena-West Helena costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
Helena-West Helena, AR
National Avg
Median Home Value
$69,300
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$759
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
46.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$31,118
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Helena-West Helena's violent crime rate is 1630.2 per 100,000 residents
— 329% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1630.2 /100k
Property Crime
3438.8 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Helena-West Helena is served primarily by KIPP DELTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Helena-West Helena, AR
National Avg
School District
KIPP DELTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
8.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
80.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Helena-West Helena sees average highs of 49.3°F in January
and 90.4°F in July,
with 49.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Helena-West Helena's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Helena-West Helena roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $69,300 and median rent is $759/month.
Helena-West Helena's violent crime rate is 1630.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 3438.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Helena-West Helena are operated by KIPP DELTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 8.2:1. 14.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Helena-West Helena, AR has a population of 9,470, a median household income of $31,118, and an unemployment rate of 16.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Helena-West Helena averages 49.3°F in January and 90.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 49.7 inches
with about 0.3 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Helena-West Helena, AR is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 72342, 72390.
The population of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas is 9,470 with a median age of 38.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Helena-West Helena: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $69,300, median household income $31,118, crime index 323 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Helena-West Helena side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
