| Index | Highland | Indiana | National |
| Cost of living | 96 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 72 | 100 |
| Transportation | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 91 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 93 | 94 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Highland? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Highland stands at 96, making it 4% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Highland aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Highland 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 affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Highland, for instance, where the median home price falls 10.3% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 14.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Highland flaunting a median household income of $99,456, 22.3% higher than the national norm.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum 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 farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
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 comes in at 2.7% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Highland, the transportation index is 4.8% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Highland are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $104,686 | $8,724 | $2,443 | $3,141 |
| Renters | $74,632 | $6,219 | $1,741 | $2,239 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Indiana | 7% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Indiana | 3.15% | 3.15% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wheeler, IN | 237 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Ford Heights, IL | 2,801 | 83 | 16.6% |
| East Chicago, IN | 28,835 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Gary, IN | 77,151 | 81 | 19.3% |
| Phoenix, IL | 1,450 | 85 | 14.6% |
| Highland, IN | 23,168 | 96 | 3.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Garden City, NY | 23,173 | 208 | 107.9% |
| Greenfield, IN | 23,175 | 94 | 5.9% |
| Waukee, IA | 23,183 | 106 | 6.3% |
| Hopewell, VA | 23,190 | 95 | 4.9% |
| Christiansburg, VA | 23,191 | 103 | 3.2% |
| Highland, IN | 23,168 | 96 | 3.6% |
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