salaryRent is lower than in 60% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.1 minutes. Most households rent (61%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $58,800 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Virginia. It is number 45 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Harrisonburg?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Harrisonburg
| Size | Harrisonburg | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $974 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $933 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,176 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,459 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,503 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Harrisonburg overall?
Everyday prices in the Harrisonburg metro area are 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Harrisonburg
Life in Harrisonburg
What jobs pay in Harrisonburg
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $136,150 | 13.0% |
| Lawyer | $127,070 | 13.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,400 | 14.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,340 | 14.4% |
| Software Developer | $119,250 | 14.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,620 | 17.5% |
| Operations Manager | $94,320 | 18.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,020 | 19.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $78,770 | 22.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $77,340 | 22.8% |
| Accountant | $76,530 | 23.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,950 | 28.5% |
| Electrician | $61,880 | 28.5% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,830 | 29.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,210 | 29.3% |
| Truck Driver | $58,660 | 30.1% |
| Police Officer | $58,260 | 30.3% |
| Plumber | $52,290 | 33.7% |
| Carpenter | $49,650 | 35.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $44,760 | 39.4% |
| Firefighter | $43,900 | 40.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $39,300 | 44.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,100 | 45.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,830 | 45.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,320 | 46.0% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,920 | 49.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,350 | 52.9% |
| Cashier | $28,980 | 60.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Harrisonburg?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $605 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $299,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,910 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Harrisonburg, VA?
Renting in Harrisonburg costs a median of about $1,470 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Harrisonburg?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $58,800 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Harrisonburg cheap or expensive?
Harrisonburg is rated OK: rent takes 26.3% of the typical household income of $67,141. It ranks 45th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Harrisonburg?
The median homeowner in Harrisonburg pays $2,281 a year in property taxes, about 0.76% of the median home value.
Is Harrisonburg more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Harrisonburg?
The median home value in Harrisonburg is $299,100, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
51,392 people live in Harrisonburg. Numbers are typical (middle) values.