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City Housing Verdict

Harrisburg, SD

Manageable

The cost of living in Harrisburg, SD is 7% below the national average (Cost Index: 93). Homes here are typically valued around $281,400, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $101,534 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Harrisburg looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 16% rent burden, 2.8x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 93. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Harrisburg.

Monthly Housing
$1,349/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
16%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$6,612/mo
After housing and debt · $2,204/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 22%
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Cost Index
93
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$281,400
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,349/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$101,534
National: $78,538
Population
7,790
Purchasing Power
139
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
93 / 100
7% below average
Rent Index
100 / 100
Close to average
Goods & Groceries
95 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
81 / 100
19% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
92 / 100
8% below average
Overall Index
93
Average

Harrisburg Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $281,400 and South Dakota's property tax rate of 1.08%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$101,534
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
16%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
2.8x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Harrisburg looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Harrisburg, SD

Est. Annual Property Tax
$3,039
Monthly Impact
$253
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.08%
National avg: ~1.00%

South Dakota Place Tax Context

Tax TypeSouth DakotaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.08%1.00%
Top Income Tax RateNo State Income Tax~5.0%
State Sales Tax6.11%~5.0%

Compare Harrisburg to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Harrisburg, SD
93
100
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Harrisburg, SD: 93
Rent Prices
100

FAQ: Living in Harrisburg

Is Harrisburg, SD an affordable place to live?+

Yes — everyday expenses in Harrisburg run about 7% below the US average (Cost Index: 93). Housing is especially affordable: the median home is valued around $281,400, compared to the $303,400 national median. Monthly rent is typically around $1,349, versus $1,348 nationally.

How does Harrisburg fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,349, while local median household income is $101,534. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 16% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Harrisburg, SD?+

South Dakota is one of the few states with no state income tax, which can save residents thousands of dollars per year. The effective property tax rate is 1.08%. On a home worth $281,400, that translates to roughly $3,039 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 6.11% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Harrisburg, SD?+

The typical monthly rent in Harrisburg is around $1,349. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $281,400, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Harrisburg, SD?+

The median home in Harrisburg is valued at $281,400. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,423/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 80% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Harrisburg?+

Grocery prices in Harrisburg are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 95, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 81). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Harrisburg, SD like to live in?+

Harrisburg is a small town with a population of about 7,790. The median age of residents is 30.2, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 1.53%, well below the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in South Dakota

If Harrisburg feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in South Dakota

Use these city pages when you want to compare Harrisburg against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly