Income needed to buy a home
Highlands County, FL
$76,787
a year in household income to buy the typical Highlands County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$233,302
Down payment (10%)$23,330
Loan$209,972
Principal and interest (7.40%)$1,454/mo
Property tax (0.69% a year)$134/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$117/mo
Mortgage insurance$87/mo
Total monthly cost$1,792/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
A stretch
The typical household here earns $54,897 a year, 71% of what it takes.
In Florida
Highlands County ranks #12 of 67 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in Florida
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | $176,870 | $57,601 |
| Jackson County | $184,878 | $59,549 |
| Holmes County | $188,335 | $60,346 |
| Taylor County | $197,629 | $64,750 |
| Gadsden County | $201,459 | $65,206 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.