Highlands, TX vs The Hills, TX

The cost of living difference between Highlands, TX and The Hills, TX is dramatic. Highlands is 55% cheaper than The Hills, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Highlands has a cost index of 92 while The Hills sits at 204, 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 $1,364/month compared to $3,501/month in The Hills — a 61% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Highlands is more affordable at $191,400 median vs $778,100.

Median household income in Highlands is $54,524 compared to $178,194 in The Hills (-69.4%). While The Hills 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 23.6% in The Hills.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (71.1°F vs 70°F). Highlands receives more rainfall at 55.6" per year compared to 36.3" in The Hills.