2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Sanford, NC vs Highlands, NC

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Highlights
Are people in Highlands older or younger than people in Sanford?
- The Median Age in Highlands is 25.7 years older than in Sanford.

Are housing costs cheaper in Highlands or Sanford?
- Highlands housing costs are 203.5% more expensive than Sanford housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Highlands or Sanford?
- The average commute for residents of Highlands is 1.3 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Sanford.

Things to do in Sanford?
Sanford, NC is a small town located in Lee County that offers its citizens a unique mix of urban amenities and rural settings. Residents have access to a variety of activities such as biking, fishing, hiking, and camping.

Things to do in Highlands?
Living in Highlands, NC is an absolute dream. With its charming downtown area and breathtaking mountain views, it's easy to see why so many people choose to call this small town home. The community is incredibly welcoming and it's not hard to make friends or find a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. There are plenty of outdoor activities perfect for all ages, from hiking trails that offer stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to picturesque lakes for fishing and swimming. Residents also enjoy a range of excellent restaurants, boutique shops, galleries, and festivals throughout the year. All in all, Highlands is a wonderful place to call home!

 Sanford, NCHighlands, NCUnited States
 Population  Unlock1,105329,725,481
 Median Income$51,311  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock60.238.4
 Avg. Home Price$261,600  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.2%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time22.61  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Sanford    1 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

It's pretty affordable and safe place to live. I do not yet have school aged children but I understand the education is not the best here. But it is nice, quiet,  More

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Reviews for Highlands    4 Reviews

Love BestPlaces, but most of their statistics are incorrect for the actual town of Highlands which is extremely expensive. I assume they are using information from Macon  More

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Over 4 years ago

This used to be a quaint, quiet, sweet little town, but it has ballooned into a rich man's Mecca. Fist of all, it's a tiny town... so parking is at a premium and it gets  More

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Over 14 years ago

I have run two businesses in Highlands. It is a very seasonal business trend. The rents are high and so is the cost of doing business, including labor cost, cost of  More

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