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Cost of Living in Highlands County, FL

Population 105,702 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,035
Median home value$187,900
Median household income$54,897

The median rent in Highlands County, FL is $1,035/month, 38% lower than the Florida median and 27% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $187,900, 44% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $54,897 a year, 26% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 22.6%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $41,400/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 3.4×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $950/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Highlands County vs. Florida vs. U.S.

Highlands CountyFloridaU.S.
Median rent$1,035$1,669$1,413
Median home value$187,900$359,000$332,700
Median household income$54,897$74,568$80,734
Homeownership rate78.6%67.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher20.5%34.1%35.7%
Poverty rate15.3%12.6%12.5%
Unemployment rate6.4%4.8%5.2%
Work from home8.6%15.7%15.1%
Median age54.442.638.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Highlands County, FL?

The median gross rent in Highlands County, FL is $1,035 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Highlands County, FL?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $41,400 a year in gross income.

Is Highlands County, FL expensive to live in?

Rent there is 27% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 3.4 times the median household income.

Other counties in Florida

Miami-Dade County, FLRent $1,829 · Income $71,753Broward County, FLRent $1,907 · Income $77,633Palm Beach County, FLRent $1,916 · Income $83,581Hillsborough County, FLRent $1,667 · Income $79,540Orange County, FLRent $1,775 · Income $79,719Duval County, FLRent $1,475 · Income $71,277

Counties with a similar cost of living

Christian County, KYRent $1,040 · Income $55,494Tyler County, TXRent $1,049 · Income $55,396Whitman County, WARent $1,049 · Income $55,406Potter County, TXRent $1,022 · Income $53,249Roanoke city, VARent $996 · Income $55,378Radford city, VARent $1,033 · Income $57,348

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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