At $2,520/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,520 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Harrisburg changed +0.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 94 North Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.9%.
Rent rose in 6 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($148,254) is $3,706 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($3,380); a 4-bedroom is $4,280.
Concord, 7 miles away, rents for 29% less ($1,784/mo), about $8,800 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Harrisburg. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Harrisburg, NC has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Harrisburg on your salary?
At $2,520/mo, how Harrisburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Harrisburg rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Harrisburg. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Harrisburg
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Harrisburg is $2,520/mo as of October 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 20% of local median household income ($148,254/yr), Harrisburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Harrisburg?
Is rent going up or down in Harrisburg?
How does Harrisburg rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Harrisburg?
At $2,520/mo, rent takes ~20% of Harrisburg's median household income ($148,254/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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