Highlands County achieves a composite score of 73.6, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This positions the county in the upper third of all U.S. counties for overall livability.
2 / 5
Top-Tier County in Florida
Highlands County scores 73.6, clearly above Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks among the state's strongest performers on the composite index. The county demonstrates above-average livability across available measures.
3 / 5
Affordability Meets Low Tax Burden
Highlands County shines with a cost score of 80.9 and a tax score of 81.8, featuring the state's most affordable housing: median home values of $177,900 and rents of just $980 monthly. An effective tax rate of 0.728% keeps the burden minimal.
4 / 5
Below-Average Income Levels
The income score of 19.7 reflects a median household income of $55,581, placing Highlands below state norms. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available, preventing full livability assessment.
5 / 5
Perfect for Value-Seeking Families
Highlands County serves as an ideal destination for budget-conscious families prioritizing homeownership affordability and tax efficiency. The county excels for those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for exceptional housing value and low taxes.
Highlands County achieves a composite score of 73.6, substantially above the national median of 50.0. This positions the county in the upper third of all U.S. counties for overall livability.
Top-Tier County in Florida
Highlands County scores 73.6, clearly above Florida's state average of 69.4 and ranks among the state's strongest performers on the composite index. The county demonstrates above-average livability across available measures.
Affordability Meets Low Tax Burden
Highlands County shines with a cost score of 80.9 and a tax score of 81.8, featuring the state's most affordable housing: median home values of $177,900 and rents of just $980 monthly. An effective tax rate of 0.728% keeps the burden minimal.
Below-Average Income Levels
The income score of 19.7 reflects a median household income of $55,581, placing Highlands below state norms. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available, preventing full livability assessment.
Perfect for Value-Seeking Families
Highlands County serves as an ideal destination for budget-conscious families prioritizing homeownership affordability and tax efficiency. The county excels for those willing to accept lower incomes in exchange for exceptional housing value and low taxes.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Highlands County's 0.728% effective tax rate runs roughly 21% lower than the national median of 0.92%, landing it among America's lighter-taxed counties. The median annual property tax of $1,295 represents less than half the national median of $2,690.
Virtually tied with Florida's average rate
Highlands County's 0.728% rate nearly matches Florida's statewide average of 0.731%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's tax rankings. Its $1,295 median tax, however, falls $590 below the state median of $1,885.
Lower taxes than most regional peers
Highlands' 0.728% rate undercuts neighboring Hernando (0.720%, similar), and significantly beats larger counties like Hillsborough (0.836%). It runs higher than the rural trio of Holmes (0.520%), Jackson (0.549%), and Hendry (0.801%).
Annual tax on typical $177K property
A Highlands County homeowner with the median-valued property of $177,900 pays roughly $1,295 per year in property taxes. Mortgage-related assessments bring the total to approximately $1,496 annually.
Challenge your valuation today
Many Highlands County homeowners never question their property assessments, even when values have declined or market conditions shift. Filing an appeal costs nothing and can uncover significant tax savings if your home is overvalued.
Highlands County residents spend just 21.2% of income on rent, beating Florida's state average of 22.5% and well below the national 30% concern level. The county's median household income of $55,581 and median rent of $980 combine to create one of Florida's more favorable housing situations.
Top-tier affordability within Florida
Highlands ranks among Florida's most affordable counties with a rent-to-income ratio of 21.2%—one of the lowest statewide. The median rent of $980 significantly undercuts Florida's median of $1,233, positioning Highlands as a genuine savings destination for cost-conscious renters.
Competitive with rural peers, beats growth areas
Highlands' $980 monthly rent rivals Hendry County ($958) while crushing Hillsborough's $1,543, offering clear cost advantages across the spectrum. For homebuyers, Highlands' $177,900 median home value is the lowest among comparable counties, with ownership costs of just $643 monthly.
Owning is significantly cheaper here
Renters pay $980 monthly (21.2% of income) while homeowners spend just $643—a $337 monthly gap favoring ownership. With a median household income of $55,581, this spread means homeowners recoup significant savings, making Highlands particularly attractive for buyers seeking true value.
Highlands County champions affordability
If budget is your priority, Highlands delivers: rents around $980 and homes under $178K with monthly costs under $650. The county's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio is among Florida's best, freeing up money for savings or quality of life investments.
Highlands County's median household income of $55,581 sits $19,174 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The county reflects income patterns typical of agricultural and rural regions across America.
Below Florida's earnings standard
At $55,581, Highlands County's median household income falls approximately $9,887 short of Florida's state average of $65,468. The county ranks in the lower half of Florida's income distribution.
Highlands echoes rural economic peers
Highlands County's $55,581 sits between Hendry County ($53,044) and Hernando County ($63,193), reflecting similar rural and agricultural employment bases. All three counties significantly underperform more urbanized Florida regions like Hillsborough.
Housing costs stay within reach
Highlands County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% keeps housing costs comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold. With a median home value of $177,900, residents have reasonable housing options relative to local incomes.
Invest in your financial foundation
Highlands County households at $55,600 income can build wealth through consistent retirement savings and low-cost index investments. Even on modest incomes, compound growth over decades creates meaningful financial security.
Highlands County life expectancy near national average
At 75.0 years, Highlands County residents live about 4 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years. However, 21% reporting poor or fair health sits slightly above the national rate of 18%, indicating room for health improvement.
Slightly below Florida's health average
Highlands County's 75.0-year life expectancy trails Florida's 75.8-year state average by less than 1 year. At 19.1% uninsured, the county exceeds the state average of 14.4%, suggesting a notable segment lacks consistent healthcare coverage.
Competitive primary care provider supply
With 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Highlands County matches or exceeds many rural Florida counties like Hendry and Jackson. The 90 mental health providers per 100K also reflects a meaningful behavioral health infrastructure for the region.
Uninsured rate complicates preventive care
Nearly 1 in 5 Highlands County residents lack health insurance, potentially delaying diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions. While the county maintains 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the uninsured population may struggle to afford their services.
Get covered and stay healthy
If you're uninsured in Highlands County, marketplace plans and Medicaid options can connect you to local doctors and reduce out-of-pocket costs. Contact 1-800-985-2550 or visit Healthcare.gov to compare plans and find one that works for your budget.
Highlands County's composite risk score of 89.44 places it firmly in the Relatively Moderate category, well above the typical U.S. county profile. This score reflects a rural county with significant exposure to multiple storm and fire hazards.
Top tier of Florida's riskiest counties
At 89.44, Highlands County ranks among Florida's higher-exposure counties, exceeding the state average of 75.74 by nearly 14 points. This puts the county in the top third of Florida's natural hazard risk distribution.
Slightly less risky than Polk, more exposed than Glades
Highlands County's 89.44 places it squarely in the central Florida risk tier, comparable to nearby Polk County. The county faces notably higher composite risk than western neighbors like Glades County, reflecting its greater exposure to multiple hazard types.
Hurricanes and wildfires drive most exposure
Hurricane risk (95.70) and wildfire risk (92.72) dominate the county's profile, both exceeding 92 on the risk scale. Tornado risk (82.54) and flood risk (78.40) add additional layers of vulnerability in this multi-hazard environment.
Secure wind and fire insurance immediately
Highlands County's hurricane (95.70) and wildfire (92.72) risks are severe—prioritize comprehensive wind coverage and investigate wildfire insurance options specific to your location. Add a separate flood policy to your homeowner's insurance, as standard policies exclude flood damage despite your 78.40 flood risk score.