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City Report · NJ

Highland Park

Pop. 15,121·126th most expensive in New Jersey·Rental market data updated monthly for Highland Park, NJ
Median rent (all units)
$2,393/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.5%
Month-over-Month
-1.9%
vs US Median
+$431
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Highland Park · $2,393
More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,393/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$96,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,120/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,393 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
$28,716/yr
At $2,393/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.5% YoY, -1.9% 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 $2,393/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Highland Park is $2,393/mo as of August 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 27% of local median household income ($104,694/yr), Highland Park ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland Park an affordable city for renters?

Highland Park is considered affordable for renters. At $2,393/mo, rent takes approximately 27% 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 $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,393/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 decreased 0.5% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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

Highland Park is one of the more affordable cities in New Jersey for rent, ranking #126 out of 183 tracked cities at $2,393/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 $2,393/mo is $431 (22%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within New Jersey, it ranks #126 out of 183 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,393/mo, rent takes ~27% of Highland Park's median household income ($104,694/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Highland Park 27%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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