On the southern edge of the San Bernardino Mountains, right on the 210 freeway, the Inland Empire city of Highland offers far lower housing prices than Los Angeles, which lies 65 miles west. “It’s a really great place for first-time homebuyers and young families, because the prices are low for SoCal and the drive to LA is direct,” says ARREBA Broker and Inland Empire specialist Rene Jiminez. “Plus, the views of the mountains don’t hurt.” Once a farming town known for its citrus groves, Highland now is fed by the growth of freight and warehouse facilities along major roadways in the area. “Fontana close by has a truck hub that’s one of the top in the nation, so Interstate 10 is just exploding with warehouses that are bringing in more jobs and people,” Jimenez explains. Although its farms are now gone, the Highland preserves its small-town feel and agricultural history with events and historic districts.
The Highland Historic District neighborhood showcases its charm and character from a captivating aerial perspective.
San Bernardino Mountains with it's many hiking trails is just a short drive from Highland.
Experience the natural goodness of Mentone's fruit farms in Highland.
One of the main industries in Highland are warehouse and fulfillment jobs.
1/4
Housing in East and West San Bernardino
As of late 2024, Highland’s median home price is approximately $550,000, compared to Los Angeles' $995,000 and California's $820,000. Driven by high demand, prices here rose 6% between late 2023 and late 2024, and homes tend to sell in just over a month.
The city's spilt into two distinct areas by the 210 freeway. “If you were driving on the 210, West Highland and East Highland would almost look like different cities to you,” Jiminez explains. “West Highland looks a lot more like San Bernardino, with lots of older homes. East Highland is more competitive because that’s where all the new growth is.” West Highland offers mostly midcentury modern and ranch-style homes, but its Highland Historic District has late 19th-century Queen Anne-style homes and Craftsman bungalows. Regardless of style and era, homes in West Highland generally range between $350,000 and $600,000, depending on square footage and quality of preservation. In East Highland, new traditional and Spanish Revival-style homes from the 1980s through 2020s are common, with prices ranging from $475,000 to $900,000, depending on size and age.
Rows of spacious spanish homes with mountain views in East Highlands.
A meticulously maintained Victorian-style home enchants the Highland Historic District.
Homes incorporate Spanish elements in many of the homes in Lankershim, Highland.
Homes in Lankershim, Highland come in a variety of sizes and styles.
1/4
San Bernardino’s forests, mountains and trails
According to the Trust for Public Land, over a quarter of Highland residents live within a 10-minute walk of one of the city's six public parks. In mid 2024, San Bernardino County approved a $6.8 million plan to extend the Santa Ana Trail just outside Highland’s southern border; the trail is planned to cross 110 miles between Huntington Beach and the San Bernardino National Forest, connecting the San Bernardino Mountains to the Pacific Ocean.
Immediately north of Highland, the San Bernardino National Forest spans over 800,000 acres of mountain ranges, conifer forests and oak woodlands. “Take an hour's drive, and you’re in the mountains,” says Progressive Properties Realtor and San Bernardino County local Jeff Teel. “There’s miles of scenic hiking, biking and equestrian trails in the San Bernardino Mountains and alpine getaways like Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake.” In the winter months, the Big Bear and Snow Valley Resorts’ ski slopes are often blanketed with snow.
Nearby Highland nestled within a quiet hillside neighborhood is the Borea Canyon Trail.
An hours drive from Highland is the resort town of Big Bear.
Lake Arrowhead is less than an hour drive from Highland.
Only an hours drive from Highland is Big Bear where cyclists come for elevation training.
1/4
Award-winning San Bernardino and Redlands schools
Highland is served by two school districts. Serving the eastern edges of the city, the Redlands Unified School District earns an A from Niche and has been named a California Exemplary District by the California State Board of Education. The San Bernadino City Unified School District earns a B-minus from Niche, and with almost 46,000 students, is among the 10 largest districts in the state. Most Highland neighborhoods are zoned to B-rated San Gorgonio High; in 2023, the San Gorgonio Spartans’ football team won the Skyline Division Title.
The Performing Arts Center at Indian Springs High School of Highland is a new building
Serrano Middle School, Highland is surrounded by beautiful mountain views.
Students are the highest priority at Citrus Valley High School in Redlands near Highland.
Cram Elementary School in East Highland is part of the RUSD.
1/4
Heavy traffic, heavy ozone pollution
The 210 freeway runs through the center of Highland, leading about 10 miles to San Bernardino and 65 miles to Los Angeles. The closest Metrolink light-rail station is in Downtown San Bernardino, and it's a roughly two-hour trip to LA Union Station. The nearest hospital, Dignity Health Saint Bernadine Medical Center, is 6 miles away, and the San Bernardino International Airport is immediately south of Highland.
The area's mixture of LA-bound commuters and major warehouse and freight facilities often results in heavy traffic throughout the day. “The traffic’s definitely been getting worse with all the growth, and the roadwork that’s being done to make it better is making it even worse,” explains Jimenez. This heavy traffic and freight activity contributes to local air pollution; between 2022 and 2024, the American Lung Association has listed San Bernardino County as having the country's highest rate of ozone pollution.
Budding shopping centers and nearby commercial centers
Although much of the city is residential, new shopping centers are cropping up in the East Highland area. “They’re the sort of places where you can get all your essentials and larger chains, but people here generally head to Downtown Redlands for a night out,” explains Jiminez. “There is a plan for a new Costco in East Highland, though, which will probably send traffic between here and Redlands the other way.” Scatterings of local businesses can be found elsewhere in the city, ranging from small mom-and-pop shops to historic bars like The Belle. Around 4 miles north of the city on the San Manuel Reservation, the Yaamava’ Resort and Casino offers additional entertainment and dining options; in 2023, its Pines Modern Steakhouse was named Best Casino Restaurant by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards.
Highland residents will drive to West Redlands to enjoy drinks at Escape Craft Brewery.
Highland residents love to browse the vast comic book collection at A Shop Called Quest.
Residents of Highland can go nearby to Yaamava Resort and Casino for live shows and more.
For a relaxed spot for drinks, including beer plus bar games is The Belle Bar in Highland.
1/4
Highland’s Citrus Harvest Festival
Every March since 1997, the Citrus Harvest Festival has filled the Highland Historic District with live entertainment, over 150 vendors and thousands of visitors. Paying tribute to the Inland Empire's history of citrus farming, the festival invites attendees to join in pie-eating contests, car shows, and historic houses tours for an afternoon of Americana fun.
Lower than national crime rates
According to FBI data for 2023, Highland’s average rate of property crime was 8 reported incidents per 1,000 people, lower than the national average rate of 18. In the same year, Highland’s average rate of violent crime was 2 reported incidents per 1,000 people, lower than the national average rate of 4. Highland residents can participate in the Highland Police Department's Citizens on Patrol programs, as well as the city-supported Neighborhood Watch Program.
As a Southern California Native, and a knowledgeable real estate professional, I recognize and value the trust my clients place in me and I strive every day to exceed their expectations. I began real estate during my summer time off of work with the Los Angeles Unified School District and quickly discovered a passion for helping families fulfill their dreams of homeownership that I decided to start my real estate career full-time. Now for almost 20 years, I have been dedicated to serving my clients with the utmost integrity, respect, and honesty in order to skillfully guide them to achieve their real estate goals throughout Palm Springs, surrounding Coachella Valley desert cities, the Inland Empire, Southbay/L.A. County, Orange County and San Diego County.
In representing you in selling your home, I will do an intensive market data search of active, pending and closed sales so that together we can determine the best listing price to get your home sold in the shortest amount of time and for top dollar. Your home will get the maximum local, national, and international exposure with the latest technologies supported by the iconic brand and marketing powerhouse, Sotheby’s International Realty. In representing you on the purchase of your home, I will listen to your needs to find your family's dream home and negotiate the best price and terms possible. My number one priority is my clients and with my unparalleled service, I make it their best experience.
In my spare time, I enjoy family time and discovering new restaurants all over the community!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
