Highland is a small town of 1,186 in Arkansas, with a median household income of $50,714
and a 4.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is
14% below the national average.
Strengths:
Highland stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Highland is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Highland city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 86.1
Highland's overall cost of living index is 86.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Highland costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.
Metric
Highland, AR
National Avg
Median Home Value
$97,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$716
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
91.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$50,714
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Highland's violent crime rate is 57.3 per 100,000 residents
— 85% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
57.3 /100k
Property Crime
344.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Highland is served primarily by HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Highland, AR
National Avg
School District
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
8.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Highland sees average highs of 45.8°F in January
and 89.4°F in July,
with 51.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 6.7 inches of snow per year.
Highland's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Highland roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $97,500 and median rent is $716/month.
Highland's violent crime rate is 57.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 344.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Highland are operated by HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.7:1. 8.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Highland, AR has a population of 1,186, a median household income of $50,714, and an unemployment rate of 4.0%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Highland averages 45.8°F in January and 89.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 51.4 inches
with about 6.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Highland, AR is covered by 1 ZIP code: 72542.
The population of Highland, Arkansas is 1,186 with a median age of 43.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Highland: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $97,500, median household income $50,714, crime index 16 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Highland side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.