Cost of Living in Highland, IN

Population 5,188 · Indiana · Data vintage 2023

94
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Highland offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $217,000 — costs less than 2.3 times median household income of $95,696, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. An unemployment rate of 2.3% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located <5 miles northwest of Evansville, Highland falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 68% higher than Evansville's $129,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 71
Rent 129

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

About the Cost of Living in Highland

The median home value in Highland is $216,800 — 29% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,694/month, 29% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $95,696/year is 28% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Indiana's top state income tax rate is 3.0% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 67.2°F and lows of 47.1°F, with about 10.8" of annual snowfall. Overall, Highland has a cost of living index of 94 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 6% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$216,800
29% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$261,077
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,694/mo
29% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,609/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$731
1 BR
$783
2 BR
$985
3 BR
$1,286
4 BR
$1,456
Owner-occupied 91.5%
Renter-occupied 8.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,694
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,308/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
21.4 min
21% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
87.7%
Carpooled
5.2%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
4.0%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 3.0%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 7.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$95,696
28% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,348
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Labor Force Participation
61.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.6%
Graduate degree 13.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 46.4
Male median age 43.7
Female median age 48.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
67.2°F
Avg Low
47.1°F
Annual Precip
47.9"
Annual Snowfall
10.8"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 424757687786898882705646
Low °F 262836465765696759473730
Precip" 3.353.224.605.145.124.444.383.073.313.394.113.78
Snow" 3.43.11.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.20.22.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
47.9%
Good air days/yr
223
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
126
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

93%
4-Year Graduation Rate
18.6:1
Student-teacher ratio
6
Public schools
3,224
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Highland, IN?

Highland has a cost index of 94 (100 = national average). It is 6% below the national average.

What is average rent in Highland, IN?

The median gross rent in Highland is $1,694 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Highland?

The median home value in Highland is $216,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Highland?

The median household income in Highland is $95,696 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Highland, IN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Highland is 7.0%. The Indiana state income tax top rate is 3.0%.

Is Highland, IN affordable?

Highland is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 94 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Highland?

Highland has average high temperatures of 67.2°F and average lows of 47.1°F. Annual precipitation is 47.9". Average annual snowfall is 10.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Highland at a Glance

Population
5,188
Median Income
$95,696
Home Value
$216,800
Median Rent
$1,694/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
67.2°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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