A+
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Highland City Florida National
Cost of living10399100
Goods & Services97100100
Groceries106105100
Health care9294100
Housing10797100
Transportation10199100
Utilities10798100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Highland City, FL

The cost of living in Highland City affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Highland City is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Highland City aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Highland City residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Is Highland City Affordable?

Wondering if Highland City is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Highland City, for example, the median home price is 1.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 22.5% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Highland City boasting a median household income of $101,144, which is 24.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Highland City?

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Highland City, the groceries index is 5.6% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Highland City, the healthcare costs are 8.3% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Highland City, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Highland City is 4% higher than the Florida average
  • The cost of living in Highland City is 3% higher than the national average
  • Highland City housing is 7% higher than the national average
  • Florida general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Florida state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Highland City

See all the best places to live around Highland City

Compare Highland City, FL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$116,999$9,750$2,730$3,510
      Renters$78,635$6,553$1,835$2,359
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Highland City is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Highland City has a median income of about $116,999 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $2,730 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $78,635. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $1,835 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Florida Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Florida 6% 7.5%

      Florida Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Florida 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Highland City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.77$27.620.6%
      Beauty Salon $48.40$51.115.3%
      Toothpaste $4.00$4.092.3%
      Shampoo $1.69$1.549.6%
      Movie $13.72$12.886.5%
      Yoga $24.27$19.6623.4%

      Groceries

      Item Highland City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.75$7.700.6%
      Fried Chicken $1.55$1.666.8%
      Milk $4.81$4.731.6%
      Potatoes $5.38$5.262.4%
      Pizza $14.99$12.7617.5%
      Beer $11.79$10.5511.8%

      Health Care

      Item Highland City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $119.07$140.0615.0%
      Doctor $126.40$153.8217.8%
      Dentist $111.70$123.159.3%
      Ibuprofen $11.78$11.730.4%
      Lipitor $23.13$23.612.0%

      Housing

      Item Highland City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $330,055.00$326,622.001.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,047.16$2,480.2517.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,769.00$1,444.0022.5%

      Transportation

      Item Highland City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.08$3.060.6%
      Tire Balancing $67.00$65.212.7%

      Utilities

      Item Highland City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $243.39$220.1210.6%
      Phone $199.30$195.711.8%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Fussels Corner, FL4,9498217.5%
      Wahneta, FL4,1208119.2%
      Bradley Junction, FL7278515.1%
      Mulberry, FL4,2428514.6%
      Inwood, FL7,4698515.0%
      Highland City, FL11,8161032.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Moncks Corner, SC11,8161000.3%
      Cleveland, MS11,8128614.2%
      Magalia, CA11,82211313.4%
      Lovington, NM11,8228911.3%
      Muscoy, CA11,80912625.8%
      Highland City, FL11,8161032.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.