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Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

Cost of living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Dauphin County, PA

Part of the Harrisburg Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,226/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 287,484 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,114 35%
Federal tax $593 18%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $341 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $205 6%
State tax $118 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Harrisburg

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$953
per month
1 bedroom
$1,114
per month
2 bedroom
$1,371
per month
3 bedroom
$1,763
per month
4 bedroom
$1,818
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Harrisburg

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$74,159
per year
Individual earnings
$46,303
per year
Per capita
$41,055
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Harrisburg

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$222,300
Annual property tax
$3,171

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Harrisburg

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Harrisburg

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Harrisburg

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Harrisburg

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.9 min
Drive alone
70.8%
Public transit
1.4%
Work from home
14.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Harrisburg

What it costs to live in Harrisburg each month.

Single person
$3,226
per month
  • Rent $1,114
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $593
  • State tax $118
Couple
$4,605
per month
  • Rent $1,371
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $884
  • State tax $190
Family
$7,147
per month
  • Rent $1,763
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $884
  • State tax $190

Frequently asked questions about Harrisburg

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Harrisburg?

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,114 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,371 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,763 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Harrisburg?

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the average household income is $74,159 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $46,303 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Harrisburg?

The estimated cost of living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is approximately $3,226 per month for a single person, $4,605 for a couple, $7,147 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Harrisburg?

The combined sales tax rate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is Harrisburg an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania would need approximately $3,226 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $74,159 per year ($6,180 per month). Harrisburg has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Harrisburg?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Harrisburg?

The average home value in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is $222,300, with average annual property taxes of $3,171, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Harrisburg compare to other areas?

You can compare Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Harrisburg is in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare Harrisburg with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources