City Report · IL

Highwood

Pop. 5,301·29th most expensive in Illinois·Rental market data updated monthly for Highwood, IL
Median rent (all units)
$2,333/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
Stable
vs US Median
+$371
Stable (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Highwood rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highwood · $2,333
More expensive than 74% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
26% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,333/mo, rent takes about 26% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$93,000/yr
Local median income
$107,875/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Highwood's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,790
1 BR
$1,910
2 BR
$2,160
3 BR
$2,770
4 BR+
$3,260
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,160/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,333 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

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$27,996/yr
At $2,333/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +0.0% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Highwood, IL is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 39.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,301
Median income
$107,875
Median age
41
Renters
44%
Age distribution
21.7%
20.1%
23%
13.6%
21.5%
Under 1821.7%
18–3420.1%
35–5423%
55–6413.6%
65+21.5%
Gender
53.2%
46.8%
Male53.2%
Female46.8%
Race & ethnicity
61.6%
36.6%
White61.6%
Black1.2%
Hispanic36.6%
Asian2.1%
Education (25+)
19.4%
20.2%
21.2%
39.1%
No HS diploma19.4%
HS diploma20.2%
Some college21.2%
Bachelor's+39.1%
Housing tenure
56%
44%
Owner56%
Renter44%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Highwood, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$88,913 → $107,875
up 21.3%
Population
5,204 → 5,301
up 1.9%
Renter share
54.9% → 44%
-10.9 pts
Bachelor's+
41.8% → 39.1%
-2.7 pts
Median age
36.1 → 41
+4.9 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $88,913 to $107,875 across the same window, up 21.3% versus 2021. Census counts show Highwood, IL adding about 97 residents over the five-year window, up 1.9% on net. The renter share has eased from 54.9% to 44%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 41.8% to 39.1% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Highwood

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Highwood on your salary?

At $2,333/mo, how Highwood rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Highwood rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Highwood

About renting in Highwood, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Highwood is $2,333/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,790/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,770/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($107,875/yr), Highwood ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highwood an affordable city for renters?

Highwood is considered affordable for renters. At $2,333/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($107,875/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Highwood falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Highwood?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $93,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,333/mo in Highwood. The local median household income is $107,875/yr, meaning the typical Highwood household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Highwood?

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

How does Highwood rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Highwood is one of the pricier cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #29 out of 142 tracked cities at $2,333/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highwood?

Lake Bluff is nearby and more affordable at $2,133/mo, which is $200 less than Highwood.

What percentage of Highwood residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44% of Highwood households are renters, while 56% are owner-occupied. Highwood leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Highwood rent compare to the national average?

Highwood's median rent of $2,333/mo is $371 (19%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #29 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,333/mo, rent takes ~26% of Highwood's median household income ($107,875/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highwood 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Highwood affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Highwood
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Highwood, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Highwood.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google