A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; 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 Springs Virginia National
Cost of living98109100
Goods & Services100100100
Groceries101101100
Health care9699100
Housing92130100
Transportation10095100
Utilities105104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Highland Springs, VA

Knowing the cost of living in Highland Springs allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Highland Springs stands at 98, marking it 2% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Highland Springs are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Highland Springs can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

Is Highland Springs Affordable?

Is Highland Springs an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Highland Springs is 18.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 16% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Highland Springs has a median household income of $47,404, which is 14.3% lower than the national average.

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

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Highland Springs, the groceries index is 0.5% higher than the national average.

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Highland Springs comes in at 4.8% higher than the national average.

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 Springs, the healthcare costs are 4.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Highland Springs displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in Highland Springs Area
Search Homes for Sale in Highland Springs, VA

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Highland Springs is 10% lower than the Virginia average
  • The cost of living in Highland Springs is 2% lower than the national average
  • Highland Springs housing is 8% lower than the national average
  • Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average
  • Virginia state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Highland Springs

See all the best places to live around Highland Springs

Compare Highland Springs, VA Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Highland Springs?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Highland Springs?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Highland Springs poll results

      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$52,906$4,409$1,234$1,587
      Renters$37,793$3,149$882$1,134
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Highland Springs 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 Springs has a median income of about $52,906 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,234 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $37,793. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $882 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      Virginia Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Virginia 5.3% 6%

      Virginia Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Virginia 2% 5.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Highland Springs National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.00$24.2617.6%
      Beauty Salon $54.17$45.5618.9%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.5%
      Shampoo $1.26$1.281.3%
      Movie $13.31$12.139.7%
      Bowling $24.17$18.0034.3%

      Groceries

      Item Highland Springs National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.54$5.845.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.44$1.578.5%
      Milk $4.63$4.671.0%
      Potatoes $5.27$4.936.8%
      Pizza $12.72$12.095.3%
      Beer $10.64$10.412.2%

      Health Care

      Item Highland Springs National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $95.44$125.6824.1%
      Doctor $122.83$135.789.5%
      Dentist $109.67$113.293.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.76$10.651.0%
      Lipitor $489.65$468.604.5%

      Housing

      Item Highland Springs National avg. Difference
      Home Price $151,000.00$184,700.0018.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,083.79$2,346.6911.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,101.00$949.0016.0%

      Transportation

      Item Highland Springs National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.27$3.465.5%
      Tire Balancing $60.00$59.920.1%

      Utilities

      Item Highland Springs National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.22$193.9917.1%
      Phone $185.33$192.253.6%
      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.
      Montrose, VA7,639946.2%
      Bensley, VA6,044964.0%
      Bellwood, VA7,808973.1%
      Sandston, VA6,833972.7%
      Charles City, VA26982.5%
      Highland Springs, VA15,000982.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Haven, UT15,00312020.5%
      North Fair Oaks, CA14,992215114.8%
      Hugo, MN15,00811111.4%
      Tonawanda city, NY14,9918416.5%
      Eden, NC14,9868316.8%
      Highland Springs, VA15,000982.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.