Harrisburg 72 Excellent
Harrisburg Livability #299 ranked city in Illinois#5,885 ranked city in the USARanks better than 79% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Harrisburg

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.

  • Crime Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Employment Employment

    Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.

  • Schools Schools

    The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Surveys and polls conducted by AreaVibes with residents of the area revealed unfavorable results concerning the walkability of amenities, the availability of parks and public transit access.

What's it like Living in Harrisburg?

Harrisburg is a small city located in the state of Illinois. The city has a population of 8,793 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Harrisburg is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Harrisburg offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 21 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Harrisburg can be a fulfilling experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Illinois, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in Harrisburg and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, commute, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Harrisburg, IL receives 75 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #197 in Illinois and #3,762 in the USA. This is a terrific score, as Harrisburg ranks well in multiple categories! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Harrisburg scores well for crime (A+), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) There are some categories that Harrisburg scores poorly for, including: education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 166 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Harrisburg boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Harrisburg apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Harrisburg is real estate affordability. The median home price for Harrisburg homes is $133,627, which is 56.7% lower than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Harrisburg, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 25.7% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Harrisburg

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Compare Harrisburg, IL Livability

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      Harrisburg transportation information

      Statistic Harrisburg Illinois National
      Average one way commute21min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work85.6%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.4%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.2%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home4.8%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The Harrisburg, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.