Living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Harrisburg · Census data 2020–2024
Harrisburg has 50,287 residents with a median age of 33.4. The median household income is $48,099 (38% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $124,200, the median rent is $1,062/month.
Harrisburg at a glance
- Population
- 50,287
- Median age
- 33.4State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $48,099State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $124,200State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,062/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 36.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25.9%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Harrisburg a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 38% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 11.4%; a poverty rate of 30.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Harrisburg
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Harrisburg the median home value is $124,200, 63% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,062 per month, which is 29.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,272 a month in housing costs.
Harrisburg median household income
The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,099 and the income per person is $27,330. 30.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Harrisburg: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 24,130
- Owner-occupied
- 36.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 63.4%
- Vacant
- 8.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1947
- Average household size
- 2.23
Harrisburg demographics
- Population
- 50,287
- Median age
- 33.4
- Under 18
- 27.5%
- 65 and older
- 12.9%
- Households
- 22,137
- Foreign-born
- 9.5%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Harrisburg ›
Education in Harrisburg
25.9% of adults 25 and older in Harrisburg have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 10% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Harrisburg
- Unemployment rate
- 11.4%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 15.8%
- Drive alone
- 57.5%
- Public transit
- 5.2%
- Walk to work
- 7.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 85.6%
Harrisburg vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | $124,200 | $1,062 |
| Wormleysburg | 3,077 | $88,250 | $223,400 | $1,426 |
| West Fairview | 1,208 | $76,583 | $162,300 | $1,127 |
| Penbrook | 3,266 | $62,312 | $168,100 | $987 |
| Lemoyne | 4,742 | $62,086 | $241,300 | $993 |
| Progress | 11,017 | $73,030 | $202,500 | $1,233 |
| East Pennsboro | 21,162 | $83,388 | $236,000 | $1,238 |
| Paxtang | 1,662 | $87,083 | $180,400 | $1,091 |
| Enola | 6,534 | $72,135 | $171,700 | $1,091 |
More for people moving to Harrisburg
Harrisburg ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Harrisburg: FAQ
What is the median household income in Harrisburg, PA?
The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,099, 38% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Harrisburg?
The median home value in Harrisburg is $124,200, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Harrisburg?
The median gross rent in Harrisburg is $1,062 per month, about 29.6% of household income.
Is Harrisburg, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 51% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 38% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 11.4%; a poverty rate of 30.5%.
What is the median age in Harrisburg?
The median age in Harrisburg is 33.4 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Harrisburg?
The average commute to work in Harrisburg is 20 minutes; 15.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Harrisburg?
The unemployment rate in Harrisburg is 11.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Harrisburg?
25.9% of adults in Harrisburg have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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