Highland, UT 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Climate & Geography

Summers in Highland are typically hot and mostly clear while winters are freezing and partly cloudy due to the region's humid continental climate. The city's close proximity to two large lakes can increase precipitation due to a lake effect, while the nearby mountains block winds and prevent extreme temperatures. Residents of Highland receive less rain and more snowfall than the national average, and there are around 228 days of sun each year.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Events are held throughout the year to encourage a sense of community like the Highland Fling, Hometown Holiday, and Spring Clean. Retirees interested in volunteer opportunities can sign up to help during events, classes, community projects, and committees.

For outdoor recreation, active adults can visit a number of sites to hike, bike, climb, fish, or camp, including American Fork Canyon, Box Elder Peak, Dry Creek Canyon, and more. The Alpine Country Club features an 18-hole championship golf course, swimming complex, and dining facilities. The course offers picturesque views of the mountains in the distance for players to enjoy. The club also hosts local and national events and qualifiers.

Only 30 minutes from Highland, Salt Lake City offers retirees additional recreation and entertainment opportunities.

Cost of Living & Taxes

While Social Security benefits are taxed and most other retirement income is taxed at 4.95 percent income tax, Utah provides a small retirement-income tax credit for certain income-eligible retirees.

The cost of living in Highland is fairly high due to the average cost of homes and housing being one-and-a-half times higher than the national average. While housing is the main factor for the cost of living difference, grocery, utility, transportation, and miscellaneous costs are all below the national index.

Health Care

Utah ranks No. 5 on Gallup’s Well-Being Index of states with the highest well being. Five elements of wellbeing are taken into consideration when ranking the states: career, social, financial, community, and physical.

There are nine hospitals within 15 miles of Highland. Utah Valley Hospital in Provo is ranked No. 1 in northern Utah and No. 2 in the state, and rated as high performing by U.S. News.