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City Report · IL

Highland

Pop. 10,262·119th most expensive in Illinois·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,200/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+22.6%
vs US Median
-$765
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highland · $1,200
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
17% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,200/mo, rent takes about 17% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$48,000/yr
Local median income
$82,551/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
$840
1 BR
$880
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,410
4 BR+
$1,640
Research median
$1,090/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: May 18, 2026

Annual cost
$14,400/yr
At $1,200/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 0.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +22.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Highland, IL is majority owner-occupied, 35.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,262
Median income
$82,551
Median age
41.8
Renters
27.3%
Age distribution
19.2%
20.5%
24.4%
16.1%
19.8%
Under 1819.2%
18–3420.5%
35–5424.4%
55–6416.1%
65+19.8%
Gender
50.3%
49.7%
Male50.3%
Female49.7%
Race & ethnicity
93.4%
White93.4%
Hispanic3.5%
Asian1%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
28%
33.8%
35.8%
No HS diploma2.4%
HS diploma28%
Some college33.8%
Bachelor's+35.8%
Housing tenure
72.7%
27.3%
Owner72.7%
Renter27.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Highland, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$69,442 → $82,551
up 18.9%
Population
10,215 → 10,262
up 0.5%
Renter share
34.4% → 27.3%
-7.1 pts
Bachelor's+
29.4% → 35.8%
+6.4 pts
Median age
40.7 → 41.8
+1.1 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $69,442 to $82,551 across the same window, up 18.9% versus 2021. About 27.3% of households rent today, against 34.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 29.4% to 35.8%.

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 $1,200/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, IL

Last updated: May 18, 2026

The median rent in Highland is $1,200/mo as of May 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $880/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,410/mo.

At 17% of local median household income ($82,551/yr), Highland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland an affordable city for renters?

Highland is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,200/mo, rent takes approximately 17% of the local median household income ($82,551/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Highland falls comfortably within that range.

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 $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,200/mo in Highland. The local median household income is $82,551/yr, meaning the typical Highland household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Highland?

Rent in Highland has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of May 2026.

How does Highland rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Highland is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #119 out of 139 tracked cities at $1,200/mo.

What percentage of Highland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 27.3% of Highland households are renters, while 72.7% 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 $1,200/mo is $765 (39%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #119 out of 139 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
17%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,200/mo, rent takes ~17% of Highland's median household income ($82,551/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highland 17%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Highland affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Highland, IL

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