Cost of Living in Harrisonburg, VA
Harrisonburg, VA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Harrisonburg, VA to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Harrisonburg, VA?
With a price level of 94.9 (U.S. average = 100), Harrisonburg, VA is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 18% below average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities are 11% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Harrisonburg, VA vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.9 | −5.1% |
| Housing | 82.3 | −17.7% |
| Goods | 96.8 | −3.2% |
| Utilities | 88.5 | −11.5% |
| Other services | 98.6 | −1.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Harrisonburg, VA
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,050 | $42,000/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,057 | $42,280/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,322 | $52,880/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,801 | $72,040/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,125 | $85,000/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Harrisonburg, VA
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Harrisonburg, VA | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,000 | $31,342 |
| $60,000 | $56,900 | $45,442 |
| $80,000 | $75,900 | $58,676 |
| $100,000 | $94,900 | $70,950 |
| $150,000 | $142,300 | $101,160 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Virginia 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Harrisonburg, VA's median wage of $46,110 takes home about $3,116 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,057, which is 34% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,059 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Harrisonburg, VA
- Federal income tax$3,353
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,859
- Medicare (1.45%)$669
- Virginia income tax$1,837
- Take-home pay$37,392
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Harrisonburg, VA
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,240 | $24,807 | $26,142 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Virginia cities
Half of Virginia’s 4,109,320 workers earn less than $55,690 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $37,720–$89,420 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Washington, DC stretches a paycheck furthest, while Harrisonburg, VA is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $71,060 | 108.9 | $1,990 | 43% | $2,639 | $51,017 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $49,430 | 97.9 | $1,508 | 45% | $1,814 | $40,707 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,460 | 97.9 | $1,505 | 44% | $1,944 | $42,289 |
| Roanoke, VA | $47,140 | 93.6 | $1,020 | 32% | $2,160 | $40,762 |
| Kingsport, TN | $45,240 | 86.4 | $818 | 27% | $2,244 | $42,504 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $55,180 | 99.1 | $1,602 | 44% | $2,078 | $44,539 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $46,190 | 89.4 | $1,033 | 33% | $2,088 | $41,910 |
| Blacksburg, VA | $48,120 | 92.7 | $942 | 29% | $2,299 | $41,950 |
| Winchester, VA | $47,070 | 96.5 | $1,255 | 40% | $1,921 | $39,511 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $46,110 | 94.9 | $1,057 | 34% | $2,059 | $39,405 |
| Staunton, VA | $48,040 | 91.1 | $1,095 | 34% | $2,141 | $42,613 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Harrisonburg, VA vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg, VA | 94.9 | $1,057 | $46,110 | 65,460 |
| El Centro, CA | 95.2 | $1,038 | $45,140 | 65,430 |
| Dalton, GA | 89.8 | $879 | $42,210 | 65,300 |
| Amherst Town, MA | 100.2 | $1,580 | $57,030 | 65,670 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 87.8 | $854 | $44,870 | 65,120 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 100.3 | $1,727 | $47,500 | 66,610 |
| Logan, UT | 95.9 | $946 | $46,360 | 66,800 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Harrisonburg, VA expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Harrisonburg, VA metro area are 94.9% of the U.S. average, with housing at 82.3%. It is the #169 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Harrisonburg, VA?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $56,935 in Harrisonburg, VA (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $46,110.
Can you afford Harrisonburg, VA on the median wage?
A single worker on the $46,110 median wage takes home about $3,116 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,057 would take 34% of that.
How much is rent in Harrisonburg, VA?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Harrisonburg, VA are $1,050 for a studio, $1,057 for one bedroom, $1,322 for two bedrooms and $1,801 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Harrisonburg, VA
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,240