At $2,630/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,630 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Highland changed +4.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 336 California cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.
Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($77,120) is $1,928 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($1,640); a 2-bedroom is $2,040.
Loma Linda, 6 miles away, rents for 12% less ($2,317/mo), about $3,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Highland. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Highland, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 22.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Highland, CA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $69,225 in 2021 to $77,120 more recently. The renter share has risen from 32.9% to 35.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.
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At $2,630/mo, how Highland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Highland rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Highland. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Highland
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Highland is $2,630/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,570/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,040/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,640/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,720/mo.
At 41% of local median household income ($77,120/yr), Highland ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Highland?
How does Highland rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highland?
At $2,630/mo, rent takes ~41% of Highland's median household income ($77,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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