Median Age
27 Years
Largest Age Group
20-29 Years
Approximately 30% of Residents
Under 20
28%
Over 65
10%
Harrisonburg, VA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,300
Population
50,622
Renter Mix
65% Rent
Harrisonburg: a beautiful small city with big heart
Suburban
•
Vibrant
•
Historic
Located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg combines small-city living with the energy of a college town. As home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University, this community is recognized for its downtown culinary scene, which earned designation as Virginia's first Culinary District. The rental market reflects the area's desirability, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,516 monthly and showing a 3.1% annual increase. Downtown features preserved historic architecture, anchored by the Rockingham County Courthouse, while local food establishments contribute to the area's reputation for dining excellence. Notable areas include the Old Town district, with its historic architecture, and the neighborhoods surrounding JMU's campus.
Known as the "Friendly City," Harrisonburg offers outdoor spaces like the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and established city parks. Cultural attractions include the Virginia Quilt Museum, located in the Warren-Sipe House, and the Arts Council of the Valley's gallery space. The city's diverse community is reflected in its school system, where students speak more than 55 languages. Community events like the Harrisonburg International Festival and Valley Fourth bring residents together throughout the year. With its mix of educational institutions, cultural venues, and steady rental market, Harrisonburg appeals to those looking for a balanced lifestyle in the Shenandoah Valley.
Explore the City
People peruse local businesses in Downtown Harrisonburg.
Vast swathes of nature aren't far from Harrisonburg.
Residents end their week with music during the summer.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$52,274
Average: $71,201
Education
14,118
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
23,499
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Harrisonburg has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
65%
Non-Renters
35%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
21%
Other Education
79%
Rent Trends
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Harrisonburg, VA is $1,319 for a studio, $1,299 for one bedroom, $1,591 for two bedrooms, and $1,854 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Harrisonburg has increased by 1.2% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,299/month
663 Sq Ft
House
$1,751/month
1,197 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,555/month
936 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,902/month
1,167 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Harrisonburg, VA is 5.4% lower than the national average. Generally, housing in Harrisonburg is 15.9% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,299 - $1,854. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 7.0% less for utilities, and 8.0% more for transportation.
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Learn More About Harrisonburg
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Harrisonburg, VA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Good Public Transit
Transit
60
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
70
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
475 Students
Public
Grades K-5
550 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
468 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
406 Students
Mountain View Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
406 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
693 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
693 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
738 Students
Harrisonburg Highs. Governor's Stem Academy
Public
Grades K-12
Public
Grades K-12
Public
Grades 9-12
1,005 Students
Public
Grades K-12
Harrisonburg Highs. Governor's Stem Academy
Public
Grades K-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- John C. Wells Planetarium
- Harrisonburg Children's Museum
- Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
- Paul State Forest
- Massanutten Resort
Commuter Rail
Military Bases
Airports
- Charlottesville-Albemarle
Top Apartments in Harrisonburg
Houses for Rent in Harrisonburg
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Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.