Castle Rock, CO vs Highlands Ranch, CO

Castle Rock is moderately more affordable than Highlands Ranch, with a 10.8% lower cost of living index. Castle Rock scores 147 compared to 165 for Highlands Ranch, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Highlands Ranch can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Castle Rock is $1,946/month compared to $2,397/month in Highlands Ranch — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Castle Rock is more affordable at $621,700 median vs $672,600.

Median household income in Castle Rock is $143,031 compared to $155,847 in Highlands Ranch (-8.2%). The higher salaries in Highlands Ranch partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Castle Rock spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.5% in Highlands Ranch.