Cost of Living in Highlands, NC

With a cost of living index of 115, Highlands, NC is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 15% more expensive than the national average and 31% above the North Carolina state average of 84. Highlands is a small community of 1,276 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Highlands's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $905 (31% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $666,300 (119% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 10.5x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Highlands is $63,750, which is 15% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 17% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

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.