Cost of LivingUpdated 2026-04-01

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a gallon of regular gas costs $4.04 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.03 below the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $1,415, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Harrisburg's cost-of-living index of 88 puts it below the national average of 100.

Key Numbers

Gas (Regular)

$4.04

National: $4.06

205.8%since 2000
AAA Gas Prices

Avg Rent (All)

$1,415

National: $1,900

32.0%since 2000
Zillow ZORI Metro (2026-02)

Grocery Inflation

5.27%

Year-over-year

BLS/FRED CPI

Fast Food Avg

$13.20

Combo meal

4.6%YoY

Electricity

20.19¢

per kWh · ~$182/mo

16.2%vs US avg
EIA Residential

Car Insurance

$182/mo

$2,180/yr

1.4%vs national avg
Bankrate/NAIC

Median Household Income

$74,159

32.5% goes to essentials

32.5%cost burden
Census ACS 2023
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Car Insurance

Avg $2,180 in Harrisburg. Compare rates:

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Find Apartments

Avg rent $1,415/mo in Harrisburg. Browse listings:

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Grocery Prices

Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present

National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓

Eggs (dozen)

Bird flu volatility

$2.58 BLS avg

+156.4%

Milk (gallon)

$4.10 BLS avg

+44.6%

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.75 BLS avg

+354.4%

Bread (loaf)

$1.84 BLS avg

+104.0%

Chicken Breast (lb)

$2.04 BLS avg

+93.5%

Butter (lb)

$4.99 BLS avg

+24.8%

Bacon (lb)

$7.52 BLS avg

+22.7%

Cheddar Cheese (lb)

$7.11 BLS avg

+25.0%

Pasta (lb)

$1.93 BLS avg

+36.9%

Rice (5 lb)

$4.78 BLS avg

+23.2%

Coffee (12 oz)

$11.44 BLS avg

+38.7%

Orange Juice (64 oz)

Citrus shortage

$5.34 BLS avg

+49.2%

Potatoes (5 lb)

$4.06 BLS avg

+10.0%

Apples (3 lb)

$4.63 BLS avg

+12.7%

Tomatoes (lb)

$2.66 BLS avg

+31.0%

Lettuce (head)

$2.36 BLS avg

+32.6%

Cooking Oil (48 oz)

$7.20 BLS avg

+41.7%

Yogurt (32 oz)

$4.75 BLS avg

+16.4%

Cereal (family size)

$6.15 BLS avg

+38.8%

Frozen Pizza

$8.11 BLS avg

+38.9%

Dining & Restaurants

Fast Food Meal

$13.20

Casual Dining

$26.66

Monthly Spend

$452.21

+4.61% YoY

Chain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today

Combo meal / typical order for one

McDonald's

2022: $8.18

$13.20

+61.4%

Wendy's

2022: $9.24

$14.26

+54.3%

Chipotle

2022: $9.90

$14.78

+49.3%

Starbucks

2022: $4.35

$6.04

+38.9%

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Looking for an Apartment in Harrisburg?

Average 1BR: $1,160/mo · 2BR: $1,670/mo

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Local Workforce

2024 · BLS QCEW

Total Jobs

190k

Median Weekly Pay

$1,308

$68k/yr

Top Sector

Education & Health Services

Household vs Worker Pay

$74k

household median

Employment by Sector — Harrisburg

% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend

Education & Health Services
+19.0% 5yr$1,371/wk
22.7%

~$71k/yr

Trade, Transportation & Utilities
+5.4% 5yr$1,067/wk
18.2%

~$55k/yr

Professional & Business Services
-5.1% 5yr$1,747/wk
11.4%

~$91k/yr

Leisure & Hospitality
-7.4% 5yr$520/wk
9.9%

~$27k/yr

Construction
+1.0% 5yr$1,572/wk
6.5%

~$82k/yr

Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 42043

Highest Paying Sector

Financial Activities

$1,914/wk · $100k/yr

Most Workers (lowest wage)

Leisure & Hospitality

$520/wk · $27k/yr

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