City Report · NJ

Highland Park

Pop. 15,121·119th most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Highland Park, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,440/mo
Year-over-Year
+2.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.7%
vs US Median
+$475
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highland Park · $2,440
More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,440/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$98,000/yr
Local median income
$104,694/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
$1,500
1 BR
$1,690
2 BR
$2,120
3 BR
$2,550
4 BR+
$2,810
Research median
$2,120/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$29,280/yr
At $2,440/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 2.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+2.8% YoY, +2.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Highland Park, NJ is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 69.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,121
Median income
$104,694
Median age
35.2
Renters
59.7%
Age distribution
18.5%
31.3%
21.6%
18%
Under 1818.5%
18–3431.3%
35–5421.6%
55–6418%
65+10.6%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
57.1%
15.8%
21.3%
White57.1%
Black3.6%
Hispanic15.8%
Asian21.3%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
12.9%
69.8%
No HS diploma6.5%
HS diploma10.7%
Some college12.9%
Bachelor's+69.8%
Housing tenure
40.3%
59.7%
Owner40.3%
Renter59.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Highland Park, NJ has changed in 5 years

Income
$85,652 → $104,694
up 22.2%
Population
14,947 → 15,121
up 1.2%
Renter share
59% → 59.7%
+0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
71.9% → 69.8%
-2.1 pts
Median age
35.8 → 35.2
-0.6 yrs

Median household income climbed from $85,652 to $104,694 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.2% shift. Census counts show Highland Park, NJ adding about 174 residents over the five-year window, up 1.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 71.9% to 69.8% across the same window.

Community

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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 $2,440/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, NJ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Highland Park is $2,440/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,500/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,120/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,690/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,550/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($104,694/yr), Highland Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland Park an affordable city for renters?

Highland Park is considered affordable for renters. At $2,440/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($104,694/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 $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,440/mo in Highland Park. The local median household income is $104,694/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 2.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Highland Park rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?

Highland Park is middle-of-the-pack for New Jersey for rent, ranking #119 out of 180 tracked cities at $2,440/mo.

What percentage of Highland Park residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.7% of Highland Park households are renters, while 40.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Highland Park has a strong rental market.

How does Highland Park rent compare to the national average?

Highland Park's median rent of $2,440/mo is $475 (24%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #119 out of 180 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,440/mo, rent takes ~28% of Highland Park's median household income ($104,694/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highland Park 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1.4–10.75%
Run the Highland Park affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Highland Park, NJ

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