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City Report · CA

Highland

Pop. 56,675·234th most expensive in California·Highland rents are up 13.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,626/mo
Year-over-Year
+13.1%
Month-over-Month
+6.8%
vs US Median
+$664
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highland · $2,626
More expensive than 83% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
41% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,626/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$105,000/yr
Local median income
$77,120/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Highland's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,570
1 BR
$1,640
2 BR
$2,040
3 BR
$2,720
4 BR+
$3,310
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,040/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,626 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$31,512/yr
At $2,626/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 13.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+13.1% YoY, +6.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
56,675
Median income
$77,120
Median age
33.5
Renters
35.9%
Age distribution
27.9%
24.1%
26%
Under 1827.9%
18–3424.1%
35–5426%
55–6410%
65+11.9%
Gender
49.6%
50.4%
Male49.6%
Female50.4%
Race & ethnicity
33.3%
57.2%
White33.3%
Black6.2%
Hispanic57.2%
Asian9%
Education (25+)
20.4%
31.8%
25.1%
22.7%
No HS diploma20.4%
HS diploma31.8%
Some college25.1%
Bachelor's+22.7%
Housing tenure
64.1%
35.9%
Owner64.1%
Renter35.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Highland, CA has changed in 5 years

Income
$69,225 → $77,120
up 11.4%
Population
56,733 → 56,675
down 0.1%
Renter share
32.9% → 35.9%
+3.0 pts
Bachelor's+
21.4% → 22.7%
+1.3 pts
Median age
32.7 → 33.5
+0.8 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Highland

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View Highland rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Highland on your salary?

At $2,626/mo, how Highland rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Highland rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Highland. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Highland

About renting in Highland, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Highland is $2,626/mo as of August 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 13.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland an affordable city for renters?

Highland is considered stretched for renters. At $2,626/mo, rent takes approximately 41% of the local median household income ($77,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Highland significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Highland?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,626/mo in Highland. The local median household income is $77,120/yr, meaning the typical Highland household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Highland?

Rent in Highland has increased 13.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Highland rent compare to other cities in California?

Highland is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #234 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,626/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highland?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Highland ($2,626/mo): San Bernardino ($2,013/mo), Running Springs ($2,213/mo), Loma Linda ($2,391/mo).

What percentage of Highland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.9% of Highland households are renters, while 64.1% are owner-occupied. Highland leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Highland rent compare to the national average?

Highland's median rent of $2,626/mo is $664 (34%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #234 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
41%
STRETCHED

At $2,626/mo, rent takes ~41% of Highland's median household income ($77,120/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highland 41%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Highland affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Highland, CA

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