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City Report · NC

Harrisburg

Pop. 19,633·3rd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Harrisburg, NC
Median rent (all units)
$2,399/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
+$434
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Harrisburg · $2,399
More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
19% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,399/mo, rent takes about 19% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$96,000/yr
Local median income
$148,254/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Harrisburg's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,380
1 BR
$2,470
2 BR
$2,740
3 BR
$3,380
4 BR+
$4,280
Research median
$2,740/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$28,788/yr
At $2,399/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Harrisburg, NC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 56.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
19,633
Median income
$148,254
Median age
40.1
Renters
8.5%
Age distribution
27.1%
16.1%
35.5%
Under 1827.1%
18–3416.1%
35–5435.5%
55–6410.7%
65+10.7%
Gender
45.9%
54.1%
Male45.9%
Female54.1%
Race & ethnicity
54.6%
15.9%
14.7%
White54.6%
Black15.9%
Hispanic9.5%
Asian14.7%
Other5.2%
Education (25+)
14.2%
24.5%
56.5%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma14.2%
Some college24.5%
Bachelor's+56.5%
Housing tenure
91.5%
Owner91.5%
Renter8.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Harrisburg, NC has changed in 5 years

Income
$124,090 → $148,254
up 19.5%
Population
18,415 → 19,633
up 6.6%
Renter share
10.5% → 8.5%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
51.5% → 56.5%
+5.0 pts
Median age
35.9 → 40.1
+4.2 yrs

Household income in the area moved from $124,090 to $148,254 across the same window, up 19.5% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 18,415 to 19,633 between 2021 and 2024, a 6.6% change. About 8.5% of households rent today, against 10.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 51.5% to 56.5%.

Community

Discussions about Harrisburg

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View Harrisburg rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Harrisburg on your salary?

At $2,399/mo, how Harrisburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Harrisburg rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Harrisburg. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Harrisburg

About renting in Harrisburg, NC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Harrisburg is $2,399/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,380/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,740/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,470/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,380/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($148,254/yr), Harrisburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Harrisburg an affordable city for renters?

Harrisburg is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,399/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($148,254/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Harrisburg falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Harrisburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,399/mo in Harrisburg. The local median household income is $148,254/yr, meaning the typical Harrisburg household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Harrisburg?

Rent in Harrisburg has increased 4.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Harrisburg rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Harrisburg is one of the pricier cities in North Carolina for rent, ranking #3 out of 126 tracked cities at $2,399/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Harrisburg?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Harrisburg ($2,399/mo): Kannapolis ($1,667/mo), Charlotte ($1,746/mo), Concord ($1,805/mo).

What percentage of Harrisburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 8.5% of Harrisburg households are renters, while 91.5% are owner-occupied. Harrisburg leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Harrisburg rent compare to the national average?

Harrisburg's median rent of $2,399/mo is $434 (22%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #3 out of 126 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,399/mo, rent takes ~19% of Harrisburg's median household income ($148,254/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Harrisburg 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Harrisburg affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Harrisburg
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Harrisburg, NC

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