At $1,588/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within 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 $1,588 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 +8.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 49 Indiana cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.5%.
Rent has risen 7 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($98,002) is $2,450 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,840).
Gary, 5 miles away, rents for 14% less ($1,367/mo), about $2,700 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, IN is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 31.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Highland, IN has changed in 5 years
Median household income rose from $82,747 to $98,002 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.4% shift. The population has contracted by 1.1% since 2021, moving from about 5,169 residents to roughly 5,114. College-educated residents now make up 31.9% of adults here, versus 29.6% in 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Highland on your salary?
At $1,588/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 $1,588/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,710/mo.
At 19% of local median household income ($98,002/yr), Highland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Highland?
Is rent going up or down in Highland?
How does Highland rent compare to other cities in Indiana?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highland?
At $1,588/mo, rent takes ~19% of Highland's median household income ($98,002/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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