Cost of Living in Highlands, NJ

With a cost of living index of 128, Highlands, NJ is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 28% more expensive than the national average and in line with the New Jersey state average. Highlands is a small community of 4,575 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Highlands's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,848 (40% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $394,800 (29% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Highlands is $90,082, which is 20% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 25% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.