In Highland City, a typical home is worth $347,100 and typical rent is $1,993 a month. Compared with all of Polk County, typical rent is 46% higher, typical household income is 38% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 9 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $228,769 to $261,534.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Highland City is in Polk County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Polk County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Bartow, the typical rent is $1,142: 43% less than in Highland City ($1,993).
2
The typical rent in Highland City is $1,993 a month, 46% more than in Polk County as a whole ($1,363).
3
Nearby, in Crystal Lake, the typical home value is $205,600: 41% less than in Highland City ($347,100).
4
The typical household income in Highland City is $90,947,38% more than in Polk County as a whole ($65,978).
5
The typical home in Highland City is worth $347,100,30% more than in Polk County as a whole ($266,500).
6
79% of households in Highland City own their home, against 70% in Polk County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Highland City
What homes there are in Highland City, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
United States
Kind of home: Highland City and its comparisons
Measure
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
United States
Detached house
85%
62%
55%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
9%
25%
19%
Mobile home
6%
20%
8%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
Detached houses, standing on their own, make up 85% of homes here, against 62% in Polk County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
United States
Year built: Highland City and its comparisons
Measure
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
United States
Before 1960
Unreliable estimate
10%
10%
26%
1960–1979
11%
20%
24%
24%
1980–1999
35%
31%
34%
25%
2000–2009
28%
21%
18%
14%
2010 or later
23%
18%
14%
11%
Here half of the homes date from 2000 or later; in Polk County, from 1992 or later.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K9%
$200K–$300K22%
$300K–$500K46%
$500K–$750K14%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Highland City and its comparisons
Measure
Highland City
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
9%
$200K–$300K
22%
$300K–$500K
46%
$500K–$750K
14%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,49936%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Highland City and its comparisons
Measure
Highland City
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
36%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,891 a month
Polk County: $1,716 a month
Without a mortgage
$609 a month
Polk County: $545 a month
Owners with a mortgage
72%
Polk County: 56%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Highland City is $1,891 a month, more than in Polk County ($1,716); without one, $609.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Highland City+108%
Polk County+77%
Florida+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Highland City+82%
Polk County+39%
Florida+42%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Highland City+33%
Polk County+30%
Florida+34%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Highland City and its comparisons
Measure
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
United States
Typical home value
+108%
+77%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+82%
+39%
+42%
+33%
Typical household income
+33%
+30%
+34%
+29%
The typical home value in Highland City rose 108% since 2015–2019, more than in Polk County (77%).
The typical rent in Highland City rose 82% over the same time; in Polk County, it rose 39%.
Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 33%, while home values changed +108% and rent +82%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Highland City and its comparisons
Measure
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.1%
7.6%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.5%
1.4%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.4%
3.3%
3.4%
People per household
2.87
2.68
2.51
2.53
Drive alone
76%
75%
70%
69%
Carpool
11%
9%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
0%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
12%
12%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in Highland City has 2.87 people, more than in Polk County (2.68).
To get to work, 76% of workers in Highland City drive alone; in Polk County, 75%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Highland City?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Highland City, worth $347,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 37% of the typical household income in Highland City, which is $90,947 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $120,651 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Polk County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Highland City. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $12,149 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,815
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$340,813
Total interest
$490,349
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,862 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,122 a month
Tight
$2,122 to $2,728 a month
Hard
more than $2,728 a month
Your payment · 37%
Compared with the typical household income in Highland City ($90,947 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,309
Property tax
$208
Home insurance
$145
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$154
You need at least $12,149 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,815; principal and interest $2,309.
The city and its county
Highland City and Polk County
Highland City is in Polk County, Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Highland City
Map of Polk County, Florida, with Highland City marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Highland City
Polk County
Other cities with a page
Highland City's own numbers
Typical home value
$347,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,993
Typical yearly household income
$90,947
Households that own their home
79%
Effective property tax rate
0.72%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Polk County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,608
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+58%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Polk County.
A typical home in Highland City is worth $347,100: 30% above the county and 3% below Florida. With the typical household income in Highland City ($90,947 a year), a typical home costs 3.8 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Highland City3.8 years
Polk4.0 years
Florida4.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Polk County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Polk County rose 141% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Polk County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Polk County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +8.8% +8.8% 2016
2017: +9.9% +9.9% 2017
2018: +10.8% +10.8% 2018
2019: +7.0% +7.0% 2019
2020: +7.2% +7.2% 2020
2021: +16.6% +16.6% 2021
2022: +23.5% +23.5% 2022
2023: +8.6% +8.6% 2023
2024: +2.4% +2.4% 2024
2025: −1.2% −1.2% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Polk County, Florida and the United States
Period
County
Florida
U.S.
Last year (2025)
−1.2%
−0.5%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+58%
+60%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+141%
+127%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Highland City next to Polk County, Florida and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Highland City$347,100
Polk$266,500
Florida$359,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Highland City$1,993
Polk$1,363
Florida$1,669
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Highland City$90,947
Polk$65,978
Florida$74,568
United States$80,734
See the full table
Highland City next to Polk County and Florida
Measure
Highland City
Polk County
Florida
U.S.
Typical home value
$347,100 ▲30% above the county
$266,500
$359,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,993 ▲46% above the county
$1,363
$1,669
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$90,947 ▲38% above the county
$65,978
$74,568
$80,734
Households that own their home
79% ▲9 points above the county
70%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,485 ▲29% above the county
$1,933
$2,730
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.72% ▼0.01 points below the county
0.73%
0.76%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54%
54%
60%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Polk County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Highland City
For a typical $347,100 home in Highland City, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Highland City's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,815a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$12,149
Cash to close
$22,562
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $154
Conventional, 5% down$2,752a month
Down payment
$17,355
Cash to close
$27,768
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $165
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,234a month
Down payment
$69,420
Cash to close
$79,833
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,555a month
Down payment
$52,065
Cash to close
$62,478
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Highland City
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,815
$12,149
$340,813
7.18%
FHA MIP · $154
$22,562
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,752
$17,355
$329,745
7.18%
PMI · $165
$27,768
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,234
$69,420
$277,680
7.18%
None
$79,833
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,555
$52,065
$295,035
8.18%
None
$62,478
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Highland City is $1,993 a month: 46% above the county. In Highland City, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Polk County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,608 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $30.92 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Polk County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,258
$24.19
$50,320
1 bedroom
$1,338
$25.73
$53,520
2 bedrooms
$1,608
$30.92
$64,320
3 bedrooms
$2,212
$42.54
$88,480
4 bedrooms
$2,688
$51.69
$107,520
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Highland City
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Highland City has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,030 in all of them.
2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Polk County ($1,608).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Highland City, fiscal year 2027.
33812
$1,590
$1,690
$2,030
$2,790
$3,390
33813
$1,590
$1,690
$2,030
$2,790
$3,390
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
33812 $2,030$2,790
33813 $2,030$2,790
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Highland City when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in Polk County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Highland City or Polk County. The ones below are statewide in Florida: they work in Highland City the same as in the rest of the state.
Florida Housing second loan with no interest and no monthly payments, repaid when you sell or refinance.Offered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Highland City, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
HN
Housing and Neighborhood Development Services of Central Florida, Inc.
No legal help resource on our list is for Highland City or Polk County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Highland City and all of Polk County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Highland City?
The typical home value in Highland City is $347,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Polk County it is $266,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Highland City?
Typical rent in Highland City is $1,993 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Polk County is $1,608.
What is the FHA loan limit in Highland City?
Highland City uses the FHA limit for all of Polk County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Highland City?
The typical homeowner in Highland City pays $2,485 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.72% of the home’s value; in Polk County, the rate is 0.73%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Highland City?
There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in Polk County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
