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City Housing Verdict

Highland Heights, KY

Stretch

Your dollar goes further in Highland Heights, KY — everyday costs run about 16% below the national average (Cost Index: 84). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued at $204,998, well under the $303,400 US median. The local median household income of $52,437 tends to stretch further here than in most parts of the country.

Highland Heights sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Highland Heights.

Monthly Housing
$1,101/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
25%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$2,769/mo
After housing and debt · $923/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ZILLOWRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 37%
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Cost Index
84
Affordable
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$204,998
Zillow ZHVI Market Rate • Census ACS: $148,600
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,101/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$52,437
National: $78,538
Population
6,531
Purchasing Power
79
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
68 / 100
32% below average
Rent Index
82 / 100
18% below average
Goods & Groceries
94 / 100
6% cheaper than average
Utilities
91 / 100
Typical utility costs
Healthcare & Services
99 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
84
Affordable · 16% below average

Highland Heights Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $204,998 and Kentucky's property tax rate of 0.86%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$52,437
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
25%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3.9x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Highland Heights looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Highland Heights, KY

Est. Annual Property Tax
$1,763
Monthly Impact
$147
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.86%
National avg: ~1.00%

Kentucky Place Tax Context

Tax TypeKentuckyNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.86%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate4%~5.0%
State Sales Tax6%~5.0%

Compare Highland Heights to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Highland Heights, KY
84
82
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Highland Heights, KY: 68
Rent Prices
82

FAQ: Living in Highland Heights

Is Highland Heights, KY an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Highland Heights run about 16% below the US average (Cost Index: 84). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $204,998, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,101, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Highland Heights fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,101, while local median household income is $52,437. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 25% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Highland Heights, KY?+

Kentucky has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.86%. On a home worth $204,998, that translates to roughly $1,763 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 6% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Highland Heights, KY?+

The typical monthly rent in Highland Heights is around $1,101. That's roughly 18% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $204,998, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Highland Heights, KY?+

The median home in Highland Heights is valued at $204,998. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,037/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 64% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Highland Heights?+

Grocery prices in Highland Heights are more affordable compared to the rest of the US (index: 94, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are about typical (index: 91). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Highland Heights, KY like to live in?+

Highland Heights is a small town with a population of about 6,531. The median age of residents is 29.7, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 18.53%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Kentucky

If Highland Heights feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Kentucky

Use these city pages when you want to compare Highland Heights against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly