Rows tagged local are specific to Highland (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from St. Louis, MO. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Highland CUSD 5 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
95.0
metro-area
#93 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.7
metro-area
#153 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.40
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Median household income
$75,779
local
#1961 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$46,008
local
#1571 of 3,220 cities
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
2.39%
local
#219 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.8%
local
#1965 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$176,300
local
#436 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.3×
local
#124 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.9%
metro-area
#55 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$104
local
#540 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$796
local
#82 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
7,679
Median days on market
6
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
12.9%
state
#58 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
8.86%
state
#135 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.95%
Capital gains tax
4.95%
state
#109 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
2.21%
local
#2934 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$3,901
local
#1725 of 3,220 cities
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,800
state
#32 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$14,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$150
state
#74 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#192 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
15
Avg commute to work
29 min
local
#1939 of 3,220 cities
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
20.5¢/kWh
state
#13 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$184
state
#13 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.60/gal
state
#24 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#100 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$57
state
#187 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$77
state
#182 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#139 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#83 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$700
state
#90 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$300
state
#163 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
55
metro-area
#175 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,500
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,700
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Avg summer high
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
41.7"
metro-area
#97 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
16.6"
metro-area
#118 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
57%
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
430
state
#153 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,700
state
#157 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
48
metro-area
#111 of 200 metros
Parks
45
Hiking areas
12
Golf courses
31
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
2
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.