CountyScore

Highland County

Virginia · VA

#2 in Virginia
78.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Highland County, Virginia

Highland ranks among nation's most livable

Highland County's composite score of 77.6 places it in the 78th percentile nationally, nearly 28 points above the U.S. median of 50.0. The mountain county punches above its weight in affordability and tax efficiency.

Second-best affordability in Virginia

At 77.6, Highland ranks 7.3 points above Virginia's state average of 70.3, placing it among the state's most livable counties overall. Only a handful of Virginia counties match Highland's combination of low costs and low taxes.

Cost and tax advantages excel

Highland's cost score of 84.2 reflects median home values of $195,700 and rent at just $859 monthly, while a 0.56% effective tax rate ensures minimal tax burden. Together, these create exceptional affordability.

Income growth potential is modest

With a median household income of $62,946 and an income score of 24.5, Highland's earnings potential trails state and national benchmarks. The rural mountain setting limits career ladders and wage advancement.

Perfect for lifestyle-focused relocators

Highland suits retirees, teleworkers, and lifestyle-focused migrants seeking natural beauty, low costs, and minimal taxes. Those building careers or seeking climbing wage potential should weigh opportunities elsewhere.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax86.4Cost84.2SafetyComing SoonHealth76SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.5Risk97.5WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Highland County with another county →

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Custer County
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Deep Dives

Highland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Highland County

via TaxByCounty

Highland County well below national median

Highland County's effective tax rate of 0.564% runs 16% lower than the national median of 0.67%, offering residents a lighter burden. The median property tax of $1,104 on a home valued at $195,700 is less than half the national median tax of $2,690.

Highland moderately below Virginia average

Highland County's 0.564% effective rate falls below Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. The median annual tax of $1,104 runs 44% lower than the state median of $1,960, providing meaningful savings for residents.

Highland lighter than most regional peers

Highland County's 0.564% rate beats Henry County's 0.502% only slightly, and sits considerably lower than Hanover (0.672%), Henrico (0.724%), and Harrisonburg (0.781%). It offers a middle ground between Henry's ultra-low burden and the higher-tax urban and suburban areas.

Highland homeowners pay $1,104 yearly

With a median home value of $195,700 and a 0.564% effective rate, Highland County residents pay approximately $1,104 in annual property taxes. Remarkably consistent, taxes remain virtually identical whether homes are mortgaged ($1,105) or owned outright ($1,103).

Challenge assessments if property overvalued

Despite Highland County's affordability, individual homeowners may still be overassessed relative to comparable properties in their areas. Filing an appeal with the assessor's office is free and can result in meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Highland County

via CostByCounty

Highland County Delivers Rural Affordability

Highland County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio sits below Virginia's state average of 18.6%, showcasing strong housing affordability in a rural setting. Though median household income of $62,946 trails the national median by 16%, housing costs scale down enough to preserve genuine accessibility.

Top-Tier Affordability Across Virginia

Highland County ranks among Virginia's most affordable counties, with a 16.4% rent-to-income ratio matching Hanover and Isle of Wight despite substantially lower incomes. This mountain county delivers the affordability advantage of rural living without the income sacrifice some lower-cost areas face.

Mountain Living with Reasonable Costs

Highland's median rent of $859 sits above Henry County ($705) but well below Harrisonburg ($1,120) and urban alternatives, offering middle ground. At $62,946 income, Highland residents earn more than Henry ($48,445) and comparable amounts to Harrisonburg ($59,752), making housing proportionally affordable.

Rural Income Meets Rural Costs

Highland renters spend $859 monthly—16.4% of a $62,946 median income—leaving substantial room for other expenses despite moderate local earnings. Homeowners face $571 monthly costs with median values of $195,700, an excellent price point for buyers willing to embrace rural living.

Highland County for Remote Workers

If you're relocating with remote income or telecommuting flexibility, Highland County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio and mountain setting offer exceptional value. The county proves that Virginia affordability doesn't require sacrificing quality of life—just a willingness to embrace a quieter, rural pace.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Highland County

via IncomeByCounty

Highland's income moderately below national

Highland County's median household income of $62,946 falls 16% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting its rural Appalachian location and limited wage growth. The county's economy relies heavily on agriculture, forestry, and small business enterprises.

Below Virginia's income median

Highland County's $62,946 median household income trails Virginia's $74,957 state average by $12,011. Per capita income of $35,262 also lags the state average of $39,155 by 10%, indicating moderate earnings across the population.

Mid-range earner in rural Virginia

Highland County's $62,946 income exceeds Henry County ($48,445) and Hopewell city ($48,681), but trails Harrisonburg ($59,752) and significantly lags wealthier counties like Hanover and James City. The county positions itself as a rural alternative with moderate income and cost of living.

Affordable housing supports modest income

Highland County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% indicates strong housing affordability, with median home values of just $195,700. Lower housing costs mean households can dedicate resources beyond shelter to other financial goals.

Capitalize on Highland's low living costs

Highland residents with incomes around $63,000 benefit from lower cost of living—use this advantage to build savings and invest in education or business ventures. Consider starting small investment portfolios early to benefit from compound growth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Highland County

via HealthByCounty

Highland leads the nation in longevity

Highland County's 78.9-year life expectancy ranks among America's best, exceeding the U.S. average of 75.5 years by 3.4 years. Only 14.9% report poor or fair health, reflecting a population with strong baseline wellness.

Highland County's exceptional longevity

At 78.9 years, Highland's life expectancy outpaces Virginia's state average of 75.1 years by 3.8 years, placing it among the commonwealth's healthiest counties. The 14.9% poor/fair health rate also tracks well against state trends.

Among the region's longest-lived residents

Highland County's 78.9-year life expectancy exceeds Hanover (77.9), Henrico (77.2), and Isle of Wight (76.8), outranking all nearby counties. Its 8.4% uninsured rate sits at state average, neither advantage nor burden.

Solid primary care, adequate mental health

Highland provides 135 primary care providers and 214 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, both above state medians. At 8.4% uninsured, most residents can access care when needed, supporting Highland's strong health outcomes.

Maintain Highland's health advantage

Highland's excellent outcomes depend on sustained coverage and preventive care access. Even at 8.4% uninsured, hundreds may lack protection—visit healthcare.gov to ensure you're covered and keeping Highland healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Highland County

via RiskByCounty

Highland County Enjoys Exceptional Safety

With a composite risk score of just 2.51, Highland County represents one of the lowest-risk areas in the entire nation. This exceptional score reflects the county's mountain geography and low population density.

Virginia's Safest County by Far

Highland's 2.51 score is less than 8 percent of Virginia's state average of 33.27, making it dramatically safer than every other Virginia county examined. The county's elevation and isolation provide natural protection against multiple hazards.

Safest County in Its Region

Highland County (2.51) offers far superior safety compared to Harrisonburg (26.59) and Henry County (63.61) elsewhere in the state. Its remote mountain location sets it apart as Virginia's premier low-risk destination.

Even Your Lowest Risks Are Minimal

Hurricane exposure at 42.30 ranks as Highland's highest threat, though this remains low in absolute terms given the county's mountain elevation and distance from the coast. All other hazards—earthquakes (13.49), wildfire (13.33), and tornadoes (3.09)—present negligible risk.

Standard Coverage Sufficient for Highland

Your existing homeowners insurance likely provides adequate protection in Highland County, as special flood or earthquake coverage is rarely necessary. Focus on maintaining solid standard coverage rather than pursuing specialized policies.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.