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City Report · IL

Highland Park

Pop. 30,398·2nd most expensive in Illinois·Highland Park rents are up 7.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$3,034/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.0%
Month-over-Month
+1.8%
vs US Median
+$1,072
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highland Park · $3,034
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,034/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$121,000/yr
Local median income
$168,094/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Highland Park's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,060
1 BR
$2,210
2 BR
$2,490
3 BR
$3,200
4 BR+
$3,760
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,490/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,034 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
$36,408/yr
At $3,034/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.0% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Highland Park, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 76.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
30,398
Median income
$168,094
Median age
45
Renters
16.2%
Age distribution
23.8%
13.2%
24.7%
13.9%
24.3%
Under 1823.8%
18–3413.2%
35–5424.7%
55–6413.9%
65+24.3%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
82.9%
White82.9%
Black2%
Hispanic11%
Asian2.8%
Other1.3%
Education (25+)
13%
76.9%
No HS diploma2.8%
HS diploma7.4%
Some college13%
Bachelor's+76.9%
Housing tenure
83.8%
16.2%
Owner83.8%
Renter16.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Highland Park, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$153,226 → $168,094
up 9.7%
Population
30,245 → 30,398
up 0.5%
Renter share
16.4% → 16.2%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
76.4% → 76.9%
+0.5 pts
Median age
48.4 → 45
-3.4 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $153,226 to $168,094 across the same window, up 9.7% versus 2021.

Community

Discussions about Highland Park

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

Can you afford rent in Highland Park on your salary?

At $3,034/mo, how Highland Park rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Highland Park rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Highland Park

About renting in Highland Park, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Highland Park is $3,034/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,060/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,490/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,210/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,200/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($168,094/yr), Highland Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland Park an affordable city for renters?

Highland Park is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,034/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($168,094/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Highland Park falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Highland Park?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $121,000/year (~$58/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,034/mo in Highland Park. The local median household income is $168,094/yr, meaning the typical Highland Park household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Highland Park?

Rent in Highland Park has increased 7.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Highland Park rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Highland Park is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #2 out of 142 tracked cities at $3,034/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highland Park?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Highland Park ($3,034/mo): Highwood ($2,333/mo), Glenview ($2,492/mo), Deerfield ($2,529/mo).

What percentage of Highland Park residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.2% of Highland Park households are renters, while 83.8% are owner-occupied. Highland Park leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Highland Park rent compare to the national average?

Highland Park's median rent of $3,034/mo is $1,072 (55%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #2 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,034/mo, rent takes ~22% of Highland Park's median household income ($168,094/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highland Park 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Highland Park affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Highland Park, IL

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