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City Report · IN

Highland

Pop. 5,114·25th most expensive in Indiana·Rental market data updated monthly for Highland, IN
Median rent (all units)
$1,594/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.4%
vs US Median
-$368
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highland · $1,594
More affordable than 69% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,594/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$64,000/yr
Local median income
$98,002/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
$1,000
1 BR
$1,140
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,710
4 BR+
$1,840
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,390/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,594 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
$19,128/yr
At $1,594/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.8% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.8% YoY, +2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
5,114
Median income
$98,002
Median age
45.9
Renters
8.9%
Age distribution
22.6%
20.3%
17%
19.3%
20.9%
Under 1822.6%
18–3420.3%
35–5417%
55–6419.3%
65+20.9%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
92.5%
White92.5%
Black5.5%
Hispanic5.6%
Education (25+)
30.1%
34.5%
31.9%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma30.1%
Some college34.5%
Bachelor's+31.9%
Housing tenure
91.1%
Owner91.1%
Renter8.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Highland, IN has changed in 5 years

Income
$82,747 → $98,002
up 18.4%
Population
5,169 → 5,114
down 1.1%
Renter share
9% → 8.9%
-0.1 pts
Bachelor's+
29.6% → 31.9%
+2.3 pts
Median age
43.7 → 45.9
+2.2 yrs

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.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Highland on your salary?

At $1,594/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, IN

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Highland is $1,594/mo as of August 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 20% of local median household income ($98,002/yr), Highland ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland an affordable city for renters?

Highland is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,594/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($98,002/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 $64,000/year (~$31/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,594/mo in Highland. The local median household income is $98,002/yr, meaning the typical Highland household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Highland?

Rent in Highland has increased 0.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Highland rent compare to other cities in Indiana?

Highland is middle-of-the-pack for Indiana for rent, ranking #25 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,594/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Highland?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Highland ($1,594/mo): East Chicago ($1,021/mo), Hammond ($1,500/mo).

What percentage of Highland residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 8.9% of Highland households are renters, while 91.1% 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 $1,594/mo is $368 (19%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Indiana, it ranks #25 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,594/mo, rent takes ~20% of Highland's median household income ($98,002/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highland 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.05%
Run the Highland affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Highland, IN

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