Cost of Living in Highland City, FL

Population 12,732 · Florida · Data vintage 2023

110
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Highland City is a smaller Florida community of around 13000 residents, where median household incomes of $88,628 and housing costs ($302,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. An unemployment rate of 2.1% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Highland City sits roughly 8 miles southeast of Lakeland. Median home values run roughly 32% higher than Lakeland's $229,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 99
Rent 128

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Highland City

The median home value in Highland City is $301,600 — 1% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,679/month, 28% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $88,628/year is 19% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, below the national average of 4.8%. Florida charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Highland City has a cost of living index of 110 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$301,600
1% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$159,683
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,679/mo
28% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.0x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1 BR
$1,181
2 BR
$1,427
3 BR
$1,797
4 BR
$2,099
Owner-occupied 79.5%
Renter-occupied 20.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,679
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,293/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
30.0 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
12.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.7%
Carpooled
8.8%
Public transit
1.5%
Walked
0.4%
Work from home
12.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.1%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$88,628
19% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,290
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
55% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.0%
Labor Force Participation
69.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 21.6%
Graduate degree 10.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.5
Male median age 38
Female median age 39.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
75.3%
Good air days/yr
101
Max AQI recorded
145
PM2.5 days
220
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Highland City, FL?

Highland City has a cost index of 110 (100 = national average). It is 10% above the national average.

What is average rent in Highland City, FL?

The median gross rent in Highland City is $1,679 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Highland City?

The median home value in Highland City is $301,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Highland City?

The median household income in Highland City is $88,628 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Highland City, FL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Highland City is 7.0%. Florida has no state income tax.

Is Highland City, FL affordable?

Highland City is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 110 (100 = US average).

Highland City at a Glance

Population
12,732
Median Income
$88,628
Home Value
$301,600
Median Rent
$1,679/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Sales Tax
7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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