Harrisburg 85 Exceptional
Harrisburg Livability #53 ranked city in Pennsylvania#440 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Harrisburg

PROS
  • Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • 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.

  • 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

    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
  • Nothing Found

    There are no cons identified for this area, as none of the categories received a poor score.

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What's it like Living in Harrisburg?

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is a mid-sized city with a population of 49,247 inhabitants. Harrisburg has a population density of 6,066 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (34%) and Black or African American (52%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of the city. The median age of all Harrisburg residents is 32, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Harrisburg, only 35% of the population is married. 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 19 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. 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, cost of living, housing and other important metrics.

Harrisburg, PA receives 83/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #68 in Pennsylvania and #733 in the USA. This is a fantastic score, as Harrisburg ranks well in multiple categories! Harrisburg has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Harrisburg has higher than average rankings for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (B). Harrisburg does not rank well for the following: crime (F) and employment (D). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Harrisburg has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Harrisburg has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Appalachian Brewing Company, City Island, and Whitaker Center.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Harrisburg has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Harrisburg is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Harrisburg come in at $85,500, which is 49% lower than the Pennsylvania average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Harrisburg, the home price to income ratio is 2, which is 35.5% lower than the Pennsylvania average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Harrisburg

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Harrisburg?

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Compare Harrisburg, PA Livability

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      Harrisburg transportation information

      Statistic Harrisburg Pennsylvania National
      Average one way commute19min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work60.4%76.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.9%8.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit5.8%5.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk11.6%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home7.0%4.2%4.6%
      Source: The Harrisburg, PA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).