salaryRent is lower than in 70% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Most households rent (63%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,480 a year. That is $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Pennsylvania cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Pennsylvania. It is number 116 of 269 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Harrisburg?
Share of households by yearly income. 11.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Harrisburg
| Size | Harrisburg | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $978 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,039 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,212 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,372 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,180 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Harrisburg overall?
Everyday prices in the Harrisburg-Carlisle metro area are 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Harrisburg
Life in Harrisburg
What jobs pay in Harrisburg
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $135,480 | 11.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,670 | 11.6% |
| Lawyer | $131,440 | 11.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $123,110 | 12.5% |
| Software Developer | $109,470 | 14.1% |
| Operations Manager | $101,890 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $96,770 | 16.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,830 | 16.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,900 | 16.8% |
| Police Officer | $84,470 | 18.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,100 | 18.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,160 | 20.0% |
| Accountant | $76,510 | 20.2% |
| Plumber | $73,560 | 21.0% |
| Electrician | $71,820 | 21.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,500 | 21.6% |
| Firefighter | $62,760 | 24.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,680 | 24.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,570 | 24.7% |
| Truck Driver | $61,520 | 25.1% |
| Carpenter | $57,690 | 26.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | 35.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $43,820 | 35.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,640 | 35.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,600 | 36.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,520 | 42.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $34,260 | 45.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,500 | 50.6% |
| Cashier | $29,330 | 52.7% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Harrisburg?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $425 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $124,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $12,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Harrisburg, PA?
Renting in Harrisburg costs a median of about $1,287 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Pennsylvania median is $1,367.
How much do I need to make to live in Harrisburg?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,480 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Harrisburg cheap or expensive?
Harrisburg is rated OK: rent takes 29.8% of the typical household income of $51,875. It ranks 116th cheapest of 269 Pennsylvania cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Harrisburg?
The median homeowner in Harrisburg pays $2,370 a year in property taxes, about 1.91% of the median home value.
Is Harrisburg more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 1% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Harrisburg?
The median home value in Harrisburg is $124,200, about 2.4 times the typical yearly household income.
50,287 people live in Harrisburg. Numbers are typical (middle) values.