H
ighland, Indiana, a Chicago suburb, has made it to Realtor.com's top 10 hottest ZIP codes this year, ranking ninth on the list, down from sixth last year, according to Crain's report. Despite the drop in rank, the town remains a popular choice for homebuyers due to its affordability, manageable property taxes, quieter lifestyle, and proximity to Chicago. Jessica Soetan, an agent with Premier Midwest Realty, highlighted these factors, stating that "Highland has a hometown feel but you're still close to Chicago."
The real estate market in Highland has experienced a slight cool-down this year, with homes spending an average of 21 days on the market, compared to just 19 days last year. However, interest in Highland properties continues to grow, with listings receiving three times more views this year than the average listing nationwide, up from 2.9 times last year.
Industry experts attribute this sustained popularity to Highland's affordability and strategic location. Manny Hernandez, an agent with Simplify Your Move in nearby St. John, Indiana, emphasized the value Highland offers to homebuyers. "You get a lot more house for your money than you can in the surrounding area," he said. "But you also get a nice sense of community and good schools."
The median home price in Highland over the past year was $241,850, significantly lower than in neighboring towns such as Crown Point ($314,900), Munster ($334,900), and St. John ($444,990). This price differential makes Highland an attractive option for buyers seeking to stretch their dollars further while maintaining ties to the Chicago metropolitan area.
Highland's housing market isn't just affordable; it's also fast-paced. Recent sales have shown how quickly homes can move off the market. A three-bedroom house on Garfield Avenue sold for $300,000, slightly above the asking price, after just two days on the market. Similarly, a property on Franklin Street found a buyer in just five days and sold for over the asking price. Another home on Cottage Grove Avenue was snapped up three days after being listed and closed at $310,000, about 3 percent above the seller's ask.
When Marco Lopez, an agent with Seramur Properties, moved from Chicago to Indiana in 2021, he did so citing the relatively short commute. Lopez explained that his own commute from Highland to Chicago's Northwest Side only lasted about 45 minutes. When Lopez decided to list his home for $400,000, he was confident the property would be scooped up quickly. Ultimately, his home on Northwood Lane remained on the market for less than a week before finding a buyer for $405,000, about 1 percent over the asking price.
The heat in the Highland market, Lopez said, "is due to the proximity to Chicago."
