Cost of Living in Harrisburg, IL

Population 8,608 · Illinois · Data vintage 2023

39
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Harrisburg a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $85,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.8% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 60 miles west of Evansville, Harrisburg is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 34% lower than Evansville's $129,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 28
Rent 55

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Harrisburg

The median home value in Harrisburg is $84,800 — 72% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $717/month, 45% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,488/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.8%, above the national average of 4.8%. Illinois's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 8.7%. Overall, Harrisburg has a cost of living index of 39 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 61% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$84,800
72% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$94,721
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$717/mo
45% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.9x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$651
1 BR
$741
2 BR
$899
3 BR
$1,196
4 BR
$1,364
Owner-occupied 62.4%
Renter-occupied 37.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$717
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,331/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.4 min
32% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
89.5%
Carpooled
1.9%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
2.2%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
3.7%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.0%
Total Sales Tax 8.7%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 2.5%
Property Tax 2.2%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$48,488
35% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,786
Unemployment Rate
7.8%
62% above avg
Poverty Rate
25.1%
Labor Force Participation
54.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.3%
Graduate degree 4.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.5
Male median age 36.1
Female median age 42.6

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Harrisburg, IL?

Harrisburg has a cost index of 39 (100 = national average). It is 61% below the national average.

What is average rent in Harrisburg, IL?

The median gross rent in Harrisburg is $717 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Harrisburg?

The median home value in Harrisburg is $84,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Harrisburg?

The median household income in Harrisburg is $48,488 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Harrisburg, IL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Harrisburg is 8.7%. The Illinois state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Harrisburg, IL affordable?

Yes, Harrisburg is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 39 — about 61% below the US national average of 100.

Harrisburg at a Glance

Population
8,608
Median Income
$48,488
Home Value
$84,800
Median Rent
$717/mo
Unemployment
7.8%
Sales Tax
8.7%
View all cities in Illinois →
🗺️ County data for Illinois

Explore county-level cost of living data

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