| Index | Harrisonburg | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 107 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 112 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 107 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 109 | 100 |
The cost of living in Harrisonburg affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Harrisonburg is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in Harrisonburg closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Harrisonburg can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Harrisonburg an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Harrisonburg is 19.3% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 4.6% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Harrisonburg has a median household income of $72,140, which is 11.3% lower than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Harrisonburg, the housing index stands at 12.1% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Harrisonburg, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 5.3%, and income tax rates start at 2%.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Harrisonburg, the transportation index is 2.4% higher than the national average.
The Harrisonburg cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $110,273 | $9,189 | $2,573 | $3,309 |
| Renters | $52,243 | $4,354 | $1,219 | $1,567 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Shenandoah, VA | 3,003 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Timberville, VA | 2,766 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Grottoes, VA | 2,906 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Elkton, VA | 2,976 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Broadway, VA | 4,042 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 54,682 | 107 | 6.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| West New York, NJ | 54,664 | 130 | 30.2% |
| DeSoto, TX | 54,643 | 102 | 2.4% |
| Wheaton, IL | 54,594 | 126 | 26.2% |
| Peabody, MA | 54,577 | 141 | 40.8% |
| Severn, MD | 54,800 | 135 | 34.7% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 54,682 | 107 | 6.8% |
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