Highlands, TX vs Palmer, TX
Highlands is moderately more affordable than Palmer, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Highlands scores 92 compared to 104 for Palmer, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Palmer can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Highlands is $1,364/month compared to $1,709/month in Palmer — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highlands is more affordable at $191,400 median vs $203,400.
Median household income in Highlands is $54,524 compared to $87,379 in Palmer (-37.6%). While Palmer is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Highlands spend roughly 30% of their income on rent, more than the 23.5% in Palmer.
Climate-wise, Highlands is notably warmer with an average of 71.1°F compared to 66.9°F in Palmer. Highlands receives more rainfall at 55.6" per year compared to 37.7" in Palmer.
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Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)