Highlands Ranch, located in Colorado, is a vibrant community known for its family-friendly atmosphere and scenic surroundings. Understanding the cost of living in this area is crucial for potential residents and those considering relocation.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Highlands Ranch, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15 on average, with a range between $15 and $30.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $74, with prices ranging from $60 to $144.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10, with a range between $10 and $12.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4.5 to $7, imported beer $5 to $7.5, cappuccino $4 to $7, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $6.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.92 and $1.05 per liter, averaging $0.99.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.76 and $6.61, with an average price of $3.44.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2 to $5, averaging $3.76.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $3.28 to $6.59 per kg, while oranges range from $3.28 to $5.49 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.76 and $3.31 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 to $3 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.71 and $1.08 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.5, with a cost of $1.86 per km and $25 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $24,190 and $36,029.12, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $23,000 to $26,366.87.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $1800.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $7500.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent for a 3-bedroom apartment averages $3000.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $114.37 and $242.86, averaging $167.02.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $60 to $130, with an average cost of $78.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$15.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$74.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.25
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.99
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.44
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.76
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.13
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$18.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$9.50
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.25
Apples (1kg)
$3.95
Oranges (1kg)
$4.40
Potato (1kg)
$2.50
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.64
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.36
Tomato (1kg)
$6.05
Banana (1kg)
$1.51
Onion (1kg)
$2.31
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$18.18
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$31,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.86
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$28,933.43
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,800.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$7,500.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$3,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$167.02
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$78.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$43.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$12.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$91.67
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$86.25
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$108.33
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,700.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.61%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,525.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$12,500.00
Highlands Ranch Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Highlands Ranch offers a moderate cost of living with relatively high housing costs, especially for larger apartments in the city centre.

Dining out can be affordable, with a variety of options ranging from casual to upscale dining.

Transportation costs are manageable, with gasoline prices being relatively low compared to national averages.

Grocery prices are reasonable, though some items like fresh produce and meats can vary significantly in price.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Highlands Ranch presents a balanced cost of living, with certain areas like housing being more expensive.

Prospective residents should consider their lifestyle preferences and budget accordingly, especially when it comes to housing and dining choices.

Overall, Highlands Ranch offers a high quality of life with access to amenities and services that justify the cost.