Harrisburg 76 Excellent
Harrisburg Livability #24 ranked city in South Dakota#3,584 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% 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.

  • Employment Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • 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.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category boasts a high score thanks to factors like excellent test scores, impressive graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • 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.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

What's it like Living in Harrisburg?

Harrisburg, South Dakota is a small city with a population of 6,669 residents. The majority of Harrisburg residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. Harrisburg tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 29 is far below the national average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Harrisburg. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Harrisburg, South Dakota could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like health & safety, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Harrisburg and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Harrisburg to South Dakota and the national average.

With a livability score of 76 out of 100, Harrisburg is ranked #3,284 in the United States and #22 in South Dakota. Based on this score, Harrisburg would be considered a very livable city! If we take a closer look at each of the categories individually, we see that Harrisburg ranks well for crime (B-), cost of living (A+), education (A-), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Harrisburg does not rank well for, including: amenities (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Harrisburg, the unemployment rate stands at 1.9%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Harrisburg excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Harrisburg real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Harrisburg. The median home price for Harrisburg homes is $375,348, which is 44.1% higher than the South Dakota 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 3.2, which is 3% lower than the South Dakota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Harrisburg

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Compare Harrisburg, SD Livability

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      Harrisburg transportation information

      Statistic Harrisburg South Dakota National
      Average one way commute19min17min26min
      Workers who drive to work88.6%79.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.0%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.5%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.7%3.8%2.8%
      Working from home6.7%5.5%4.6%
      Source: The Harrisburg, SD 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.