Highlands, NC vs Landis, NC

The cost of living difference between Highlands, NC and Landis, NC is dramatic. Landis is 36.9% cheaper than Highlands, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highlands has a cost index of 115 while Landis sits at 84, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Highlands is $905/month compared to $1,017/month in Landis — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Highlands has cheaper rent, Landis actually has lower median home values ($233,400 vs $666,300).

Median household income in Highlands is $63,750 compared to $82,645 in Landis (-22.9%). Landis offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Highlands spend roughly 17% of their income on rent, more than the 14.8% in Landis.