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City Report · SD

Harrisburg

Pop. 8,519·5th most expensive in South Dakota·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,313/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.4%
Month-over-Month
+3.8%
vs US Median
-$649
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Harrisburg · $1,313
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
14% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,313/mo, rent takes about 14% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$108,724/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
$890
1 BR
$1,050
2 BR
$1,220
3 BR
$1,670
4 BR+
$2,050
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,220/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,313 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$15,756/yr
At $1,313/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (2.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.4% YoY, +3.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Harrisburg, SD is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 43.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,519
Median income
$108,724
Median age
31.1
Renters
21.6%
Age distribution
34.2%
24.8%
29%
Under 1834.2%
18–3424.8%
35–5429%
55–648.4%
65+3.7%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
88.9%
White88.9%
Hispanic6.4%
Asian0.7%
Other4.1%
Education (25+)
22%
31%
43.8%
No HS diploma3.3%
HS diploma22%
Some college31%
Bachelor's+43.8%
Housing tenure
78.4%
21.6%
Owner78.4%
Renter21.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Harrisburg, SD has changed in 5 years

Income
$81,952 → $108,724
up 32.7%
Population
6,645 → 8,519
up 28.2%
Renter share
15.6% → 21.6%
+6.0 pts
Bachelor's+
40.5% → 43.8%
+3.3 pts
Median age
29.1 → 31.1
+2.0 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $108,724 today, compared with $81,952 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 6,645 to 8,519 between 2021 and 2024, a 28.2% change. About 21.6% of households rent today, against 15.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 40.5% to 43.8%.

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 $1,313/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, SD

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Harrisburg is $1,313/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $890/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,220/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,050/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,670/mo.

At 14% of local median household income ($108,724/yr), Harrisburg ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Harrisburg an affordable city for renters?

Harrisburg is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,313/mo, rent takes approximately 14% of the local median household income ($108,724/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 $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,313/mo in Harrisburg. The local median household income is $108,724/yr, meaning the typical Harrisburg household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Harrisburg?

Rent in Harrisburg has decreased 2.4% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Harrisburg rent compare to other cities in South Dakota?

Harrisburg is middle-of-the-pack for South Dakota for rent, ranking #5 out of 10 tracked cities at $1,313/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Harrisburg?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Harrisburg ($1,313/mo): Vermillion ($813/mo), Tea ($1,237/mo).

What percentage of Harrisburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.6% of Harrisburg households are renters, while 78.4% 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 $1,313/mo is $649 (33%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Dakota, it ranks #5 out of 10 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
14%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,313/mo, rent takes ~14% of Harrisburg's median household income ($108,724/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Harrisburg 14%Benchmark 30%
State income taxNone
Run the Harrisburg affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Harrisburg, SD

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