Home / Compare / Highgrove vs South Lake Tahoe

Highgrove, CA vs South Lake Tahoe, CA

127
Highgrove
California
VS
-5.6%
134
South Lake Tahoe
California

Highgrove is moderately more affordable than South Lake Tahoe, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. Highgrove scores 127 compared to 134 for South Lake Tahoe, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of South Lake Tahoe can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Highgrove is $1,338/month compared to $1,467/month in South Lake Tahoe — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highgrove is more affordable at $594,400 median vs $630,200.

Median household income in Highgrove is $109,657 compared to $73,940 in South Lake Tahoe (+48.3%). Highgrove offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Highgrove spend roughly 14.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.8% in South Lake Tahoe.

Climate-wise, Highgrove is notably warmer with an average of 63.3°F compared to 44.2°F in South Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe receives more rainfall at 20.5" per year compared to 10.7" in Highgrove.

Income & Cost

Cost of Living Index
Highgrove
127
6% cheaper
South Lake Tahoe
134
Median Household Income
Highgrove
$109,657
33% higher
South Lake Tahoe
$73,940

Housing

Median Rent
Highgrove
$1,338
9% cheaper
South Lake Tahoe
$1,467
Median Home Value
Highgrove
$594,400
6% cheaper
South Lake Tahoe
$630,200
Population
Highgrove
7,164
South Lake Tahoe
21,319

Salary Equivalency Calculator

What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?

$
Formula:

Rent by Bedroom Size

HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average

Studio
Highgrove $2,020
South Lake Tahoe $1,784
12% cheaper
1 Bed
Highgrove $2,148
South Lake Tahoe $1,871
13% cheaper
2 Bed
Highgrove $2,675
South Lake Tahoe $2,305
14% cheaper
3 Bed
Highgrove $3,520
South Lake Tahoe $3,077
13% cheaper
4 Bed
Highgrove $4,178
South Lake Tahoe $3,552
15% cheaper

Everyday Prices

BLS Average Prices by metro area

Gasoline (regular)
Highgrove $3.13
South Lake Tahoe $3.22
US $3.07
🥚
Eggs (grade A, large)
Highgrove $2.55
South Lake Tahoe $2.62
US $2.50
🥛
Milk (whole)
Highgrove $4.11
South Lake Tahoe $4.22
US $4.03
🍞
Bread (white)
Highgrove $1.89
South Lake Tahoe $1.94
US $1.85
🍗
Chicken breast
Highgrove $4.22
South Lake Tahoe $4.35
US $4.14
Electricity
Highgrove $0.31
South Lake Tahoe $0.26
US $0.19

Climate

NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)

Avg Temp
Highgrove 63.3°F
South Lake Tahoe 44.2°F
Summer High
Highgrove 94°F
South Lake Tahoe 80°F
Winter Low
Highgrove 37°F
South Lake Tahoe 18°F
Rainfall
Highgrove 10.7"
South Lake Tahoe 20.5"
Rainy Days
Highgrove 0d
South Lake Tahoe 75d