Crime
The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Health & Safety
A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.
Located in the state of Alabama, Highland Lakes is a small-sized city with a population of 6,151 people. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (88% White). Given that fact, Highland Lakes could be considered less diverse than other cities. 81% of the people in Highland Lakes (over the age of 15) are married and 35% have kids under the age of eighteen. Knowing that, it’s safe to say that this area could be a great place for other families to lay down roots. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Highland Lakes offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 34 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Highland Lakes could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alabama if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. To help you find the best places to live in and around Highland Lakes, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, commute, housing and more.
With a livability score of 62 out of 100, Highland Lakes is ranked #16,349 in the United States and #208 in Alabama. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Highland Lakes ranks very well for crime (A+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Highland Lakes does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
The Highland Lakes unemployment rate of 1.9% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Highland Lakes can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Highland Lakes real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Highland Lakes. Median real estate prices in Highland Lakes come in at $797,481, which is 238.6% higher than the Alabama average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Highland Lakes, the home price to income ratio is 3.4, which is 5.6% lower than the Alabama average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Highland Lakes | Alabama | National |
| Average one way commute | 34min | 25min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.3% | 85.7% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 3.5% | 8.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.0% | 0.4% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.0% | 1.1% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 17.5% | 2.9% | 4.6% |
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