At $2,181/mo, rent takes about 28% 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 $2,181 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
30% of the median household income ($91,913) is $2,298 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,060); a 3-bedroom is $2,740.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Highlands. 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
Highlands, NJ is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Highlands, NJ has changed in 5 years
Census figures show median household income at $91,913 today, compared with $82,456 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 4,669 to 4,518 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.2% change. About 39% of households rent today, against 31.4% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 47.6% to 51.5%.
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Can you afford rent in Highlands on your salary?
At $2,181/mo, how Highlands rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Highlands rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Highlands. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Highlands
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Highlands is $2,181/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,490/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,060/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,670/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,740/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($91,913/yr), Highlands ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Highlands?
How does Highlands rent compare to other cities in New Jersey?
At $2,181/mo, rent takes ~28% of Highlands's median household income ($91,913/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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