Highlands County, FL

Comprehensive housing, income, and cost of living data for Highlands County, Florida. Population: 102.3K.

Median Home Price
$247.4K

Based on 8 cities

Median Household Income
$55.6K

Annual household income

Price-to-Income Ratio
4.5x

Moderately affordable

Salary Needed to Buy
$62.6K

30-yr mortgage, 6.5% rate, 20% down

Housing & Finance

Annual Property Tax
$1,295

Average annual amount

Effective Tax Rate
0.52%

Property tax / home value

Monthly Housing Costs
Mortgage (P&I)$1,251
Property Tax$108
Insurance$103
Total Monthly$1,462
Historical Home Prices
2015
$99.0K
2016
$109.8K
+10.9%%
2017
$120.4K
+9.7%%
2018
$129.9K
+7.8%%
2019
$139.4K
+7.3%%
2020
$153.2K
+9.9%%
2021
$190.4K
+24.3%%
2022
$223.3K
+17.3%%
2023
$232.3K
+4.0%%
2024
$235.2K
+1.3%%
2025
$228.7K
-2.8%%
Source: County price history data via Zillow ZHVI

Demographics & Economics

Unemployment Rate
3.5%%

Below national average

Population Density
101

People per square mile

Homicide Rate
6.1

Low (per 100K residents)

Political Lean (2020)
Competitive

R+0

Racial Demographics

White
64.2%
Black
9.2%
Hispanic
21.5%
Asian
1.5%
Two or More Races
2.9%

Source: Census ACS 2023. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity counted separately from race.

Climate & Environment

Average Temperature
73°F

Annual average

Sunny Days
201

Days per year

Annual Rainfall
51.7"

Inches per year

Natural Disaster Risk
High Risk

Score: 89/100

January Low
21°F

Average winter low

July High
85°F

Average summer high

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home price in Highlands County, FL?

The median home price in Highlands County, Florida is $247.4K. The price-to-income ratio is 4.5x, meaning the median home costs 4.5 times the median household income.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Highlands County?

Based on a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% with 20% down and the 28% debt-to-income rule, you need approximately $62.6K per year to buy the median home in Highlands County, FL. Monthly housing costs break down to $1,251 for mortgage, $108 for property tax, and $103 for insurance.

What is the property tax rate in Highlands County?

The effective property tax rate in Highlands County is 0.52%, which comes to approximately $1,295 per year on the median home.

What is the median household income in Highlands County?

The median household income in Highlands County, Florida is $55.6K per year, based on Census Bureau American Community Survey data. The unemployment rate is 3.5%%.

Is Highlands County a good place to live?

Highlands County, Florida has a population of 102.3K. Housing affordability is moderate with a price-to-income ratio of 4.5x. The climate averages 73 degrees F with 201 sunny days per year. Compare Highlands County with other areas using our cost of living tools to find the best fit for your budget and lifestyle.