Highlands, TX Cost Of Living

The latest cost of living statistics for Highlands. Includes statistics on rent, mortgages, healthcare, and other costs for Highlands compared to the state and national averages.

Cost of living in Highlands, Texas

Cost of living in Highlands research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Highlands is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Texas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

93 Cost of living index 0.9x lower vs US
#161 Cheapest in Texas (of 419)
#1,516 Cheapest in the U.S. (of 6,489)
$220,545 Median home value
$1,223 Median rent
$52,167 Median income
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What is the cost of living in Highlands, TX?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Highlands has an overall cost of living index of 93, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Texas, Highlands has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Texas's index of 93.

The standard of living in Highlands ranks as #161 most affordable out of the 419 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Highlands ranks as the #258 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.

For more reading on life in Highlands, check out:

Highlands Cost Of Living Vs. Texas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Highlands. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Highlands is 102.

  • The Groceries index in Highlands is 97.

  • The Health index in Highlands is 87.

  • The Housing index in Highlands is 98.

  • The Transportation index in Highlands is 103.

  • The Utilities index in Highlands is 96.

Living Expense Highlands Texas National Average
Overall 93 93 100
Services 102 100 100
Groceries 97 99 100
Health 87 81 100
Housing 98 97 100
Transportation 103 103 100
Utilities 96 100 100

Highlands Cost Of Living Compared To Texas Averages

Services
Highlands 102
Texas avg 100
Groceries
Highlands 97
Texas avg 99
Health
Highlands 87
Texas avg 81
Housing
Highlands 98
Texas avg 97
Transportation
Highlands 103
Texas avg 103
Utilities
Highlands 96
Texas avg 100

Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.

For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:

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Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100

Highlands, TX Housing Cost Breakdown

$220,545Median Home Value
$1,223Median Rent
$52,167Median Income

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Highlands is $220,545.

  • The Median Rent in Highlands is $1,223.

  • The Median Income in Highlands is $52,167.

  • The Home Value To Income in Highlands is 4.2x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Highlands is 0.28x.

Statistic Highlands Texas United States
Median Home Value $220,545 $300,957 $332,700
Median Rent $1,223 $1,403 $1,413
Median Income $52,167 $78,476 $80,734
Home Value To Income 4.2x 3.8x 4.1x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.28x 0.21x 0.21x

Highlands, TX Costs By Category

Detailed Highlands Services costs vs. Texas
Item Highlands Texas
Shampoo $1.22 $1.28
Movie $12.19 $12.13
Bowling $15.83 $18
Haircut $20.33 $24.26
Beauty Salon $47.38 $45.56
Detailed Highlands Groceries costs vs. Texas
Item Highlands Texas
Ground Beef $5.25 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.61 $1.57
Milk $4.55 $4.67
Potatoes $5.0 $4.93
Pizza $11.82 $12.09
Beer $10.38 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.48 $3.7
Detailed Highlands Health costs vs. Texas
Item Highlands Texas
Optometrist $125.98 $125.68
Doctor $90.89 $135.78
Dentist $108.1 $113.29
Detailed Highlands Transportation costs vs. Texas
Item Highlands Texas
Gasoline $3.14 $3.46
Tire Balancing $56.62 $59.92
Detailed Highlands Utilities costs vs. Texas
Item Highlands Texas
All Electricity $233.43 $193.99
Phone $208.71 $192.25

Highlands SnackAbility

5Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 5/10
Housing 8/10
Affordability 7/10
Diversity 9/10
SafetyN/A
Amenities 8/10
Education 4/10
Commute 6/10

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Highlands

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Highlands. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Atascocita, TX has a cost of living index of 105, 1.1x Highlands.

  • Baytown, TX has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x Highlands.

  • Channelview, TX has a cost of living index of 96, 1.0x Highlands.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Highlands
Atascocita, TX 99,354 105 1.1x
Baytown, TX 85,205 94 1.0x
Channelview, TX 43,605 96 1.0x
La Porte, TX 36,730 97 1.0x
Deer Park, TX 33,967 104 1.1x
Cloverleaf, TX 24,063 91 1.0x
Humble, TX 16,521 92 1.0x
South Houston, TX 16,033 91 1.0x
Seabrook, TX 13,768 113 1.2x
Webster, TX 12,366 105 1.1x