Real Estate Investing in Highland Park, Illinois (60035)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Lake County • Population: 30,236 • Data updated: September 2026

☆ Watch this market Free account

Should you buy in 60035 (Highland Park, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (73/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Highland Park, IL (60035)?

Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.

✨ Live AI + Web Search
Want to ask your own questions? Upgrade to Pro for unlimited custom queries.
3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

4.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $802,743
Avg Monthly Rent $3,034
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $159,519
% Renters 15.9%

Market Analysis: 60035 Highland Park

This part of Lake County is not an easy win. The 60035 ZIP sits at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 60035 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader IL picture, 60035 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Employment concentration in 60035 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategy in 60035 is an operator game, not a passive one. Stepping back, entry prices of $803K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Highland Park:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,034/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 60035

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
7.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+10.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$200,355/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $224,568 $2,180 7.0% $224,568
2BR $407,304 $2,460 4.3% +8.5% $203,652
3BR $601,064 $3,170 3.8% +8.8% $200,355
4BR $876,741 $3,660 3.0% +9.4% $219,185
5BR $1,311,912 +10.5% $262,382

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$835K$742K$649K$556K$463K$369KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$3,296$3,195$3,093$2,991$2,890$2,788Jan 2024May 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 60035 Compare?

Metric 60035 Highland Park Illinois
Home Value $802,743 $802,743 $279,761
5-Year CAGR 8.2% 8.2% 6.6%
Avg Rent $3,034 $3,034 -
Cap Rate 3.0% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 60035? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
Open the Market Finder →
Free to search · investor plans from $19/mo

Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 60035 (Highland Park, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 60035 (Highland Park, IL)?

~25 seconds · no account needed · your report is anonymous

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.0%
Low
5yr Growth
+8.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $802,743
Monthly Rent $3,034
Price-to-Rent 22.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.5%
Cap Rate 3.0%
5-Year IRR 11.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +7.9% ▲
5-Year CAGR +8.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.3% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -7.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.0%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.0%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
4.2%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+8.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 60035

Population: 30,236

💰 Median Household Income
$159,519
This area
$159,519
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
15.9%
This area
15.9%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.2%
This area
2.2%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
76.4%
This area
76.4%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.0 years
This area
48.0 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 86.5%
Other/Mixed 9.7%
Hispanic/Latino 6.7%
Asian 2.9%
Black/African American 0.9%
👶 Under 18
23.7%
This area
23.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
25.3%
This area
25.3%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
1.5%
This area
1.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 60035

A Avg School Grade
11 Schools
11.7:1 Avg Class Size
$33,699 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Edgewood Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
659 Students
👨‍🏫
11.3:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Northwood Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
532 Students
👨‍🏫
10.8:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Sherwood Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
354 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Red Oak Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
205 Students
👨‍🏫
9.5:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Indian Trail Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
491 Students
👨‍🏫
12.4:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Wayne Thomas Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
442 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Braeside Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
272 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A+ Excellent

Ravinia Elem School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
👥
281 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$32,904 Per Student
A Very Good

Highland Park High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,715 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$40,062 Per Student
C Below Average

Arbor Academy

📚 Grade M Elementary Limited Data
C Below Average

North Shore Academy

📚 06 – 12 High School Limited Data
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby
D
Trinity International University-Illinois
852 students · 3.7 mi
C+
Lake Forest College
1,818 students · 4.6 mi
D
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management
275 students · 5.9 mi
C
Worsham College of Mortuary Science
187 students · 6.5 mi
C
Chicago Professional Center
92 students · 7.1 mi
C
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
1,949 students · 8.4 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-Vernon Hills
57 students · 8.6 mi
C
Estelle Skin Care and Spa Institute
121 students · 8.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Highland Park, IL good for landlords?

Landlord-friendliness in Highland Park, IL is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

What is the typical renter like in Highland Park, IL?

Expect a solid tenant pool in Highland Park, IL. The rental market absorbs $3,034/mo rents without meaningful friction.

What investment strategy works best in Highland Park, IL?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Highland Park, IL. The numbers - $803K homes against $3,034/mo rents - support that play.

Is Highland Park, IL a good market for FHA house hackers?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Highland Park, IL reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

Is real estate in Highland Park, IL a good investment right now?

Highland Park, IL shows an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $803K and average rents around $3,034/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

You know 60035 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 60035 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

Compare Plans

How 60035 ranks in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
🤖

AI Market Advisor

Ask questions about investing in 60035 (Highland Park)

Loading...

Community Ratings

What people who’ve spent time here actually say. Not paid reviews.

Be the first to rate 60035 (Highland Park, IL).

It takes 30 seconds. No signup. Your rating helps everyone who comes here after you.