CostIndexUSA

Erie, PA vs Harrisburg, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Erie
91
overall index
$1,075/mo rent
PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Erie is moderately cheaper than Harrisburg — 8.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Erie, you would need $86,800 in Harrisburg. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+69.5%
Erie
56.8
Harrisburg
96.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Erie
100.7
Harrisburg
100.7
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Erie
102.6
Harrisburg
102.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Erie
92.8
Harrisburg
92.8
Utilities+1.2%
Erie
106.8
Harrisburg
108.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Erie to see what you'd need to earn in Harrisburg to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Harrisburg, PA
$86,800
$6,800 more needed in Harrisburg

Formula: salary × (98.7 ÷ 91) = salary × 1.0846. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Erie, PA

Median Home Price
$209,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
56.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Harrisburg has 69.5% higher housing costs compared to Erie.

Income & Job Market

Erie, PA

Median Household Income
$60,700
Per Capita Income
$34,600
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
94,831
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareEducationTechnologyRetail

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Erie, PA
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% of income left after rent (median)

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.