Real Estate Investing in Highland, Illinois (62249)

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

Madison County • Population: 16,550 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 62249 (Highland, IL)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

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, IL (62249)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $276,818
Avg Monthly Rent $1,200
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,493
% Renters 22.0%

Market Analysis: 62249 Highland

The 62249 ZIP in Highland, IL is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $277K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $277K asset, 62249 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within IL, ZIP 62249 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Madison County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and significant enough to shape underwriting.

A solid renter share of 22% in 62249 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 62249 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

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:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.2× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,200/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.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
30 days
Average time to sell
Fast
11.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from St. Louis, MO-IL metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 62249

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$73,828/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $324,358 $800 1.8% +6.0% $324,358
2BR $166,323 $990 4.3% +7.6% $83,161
3BR $245,310 $1,270 3.7% +7.6% $81,770
4BR $295,310 $1,480 3.6% +7.3% $73,828
5BR $390,630 +6.8% $78,126

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$287K$257K$227K$197K$168K$138KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 62249 Compare?

Metric 62249 Highland St. Louis, MO-IL Illinois
Home Value $276,818 $276,818 N/A $279,761
5-Year CAGR 6.7% 6.7% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,200 $1,200 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.4% - -
💡 Why Invest in 62249? 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.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 62249 (Highland, IL). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.7%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $276,818
Monthly Rent $1,200
Price-to-Rent 19.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.2%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 10.1%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). 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
3.3%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.7%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 62249

Population: 16,550

💰 Median Household Income
$86,493
This area
$86,493
State
$75,721
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
22.0%
This area
22.0%
State
22.2%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.7%
This area
1.7%
State
-3.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
33.6%
This area
33.6%
State
16.4%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
41.9 years
This area
41.9 years
State
32.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
3.3%
This area
3.3%
State
11.6%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 93.2%
Other/Mixed 3.9%
Asian 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino 1.6%
Black/African American 0.2%
👶 Under 18
22.0%
This area
22.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.9%
This area
17.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
0.2%
This area
0.2%
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 62249

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
13.3:1 Avg Class Size
$14,551 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Highland Elementary School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
515 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$14,551 Per Student
A Very Good

Highland Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
611 Students
👨‍🏫
14.8:1 Class Size
💰
$14,551 Per Student
A Very Good

Highland Primary School

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
581 Students
👨‍🏫
12.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,551 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Grantfork Upper Elementary Sch

📚 04 – 05 Elementary
👥
51 Students
👨‍🏫
10.2:1 Class Size
💰
$14,551 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Highland High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
847 Students
👨‍🏫
15.7:1 Class Size
💰
$14,551 Per Student
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

1 Nearby
C
McKendree University
2,075 students · 13.0 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home value in Highland, IL?

Homes in Highland, IL typically sell near $277K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which steady long-term demand.

What kind of tenants rent in Highland, IL?

Working renters make up the core of the Highland, IL tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

How do experienced investors play Highland, IL?

Investors usually favor careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management in Highland, IL. With home values at $277K and rents near $1,200/mo, other strategies can work but produce even-keeled rather than outsized returns.

Is Highland in IL worth investing in?

Highland, IL clocks in at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $277K and average rents around $1,200/mo. That combination puts it in the substantial tier for investor interest.

What is the average monthly rent in Highland, IL?

Highland, IL rentals go for roughly $1,200/mo a month. That puts gross yield in solid territory relative to $277K acquisition costs.

You know 62249 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 62249 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.

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How 62249 ranks in St. Louis, MO-IL

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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