Cost of Living Comparison for Harrisburg, PA
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Harrisburg's cost of living index is 91 — 9% cheaper than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Harrisburg local data
How Harrisburg Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Harrisburg stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Harrisburg, PA | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $195,000 | $420,800 | -53.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,100 | $1,713 | -35.8% |
| Median Household Income | $63,200 | $74,580 | -15.3% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.40% | 1.10% | +27.3% |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 100 | -9.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Harrisburg Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 600,000
- Unemployment
- 3.7%
- Avg Commute
- 23 min
- Median Age
- 37.4
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 14.8x
- Annual Property Tax
- $2,730
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Pennsylvania Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Harrisburg
What is the median home price in Harrisburg, PA?
The median home price in Harrisburg is $195,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Harrisburg?
Median monthly rent in Harrisburg is $1,100. That works out to $13,200/year, or 21% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Harrisburg affordable?
Harrisburg's cost of living index is 91 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $63,200/year and a median home price of $195,000, the price-to-income ratio is 3.1x. Harrisburg remains relatively affordable compared to many US metros.
What is the property tax rate in Harrisburg?
The effective property tax rate in Harrisburg is 1.40% of assessed value. On the median home of $195,000, that's roughly $2,730/year ($228/month).