countyscore
38.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 73.4Lawn Care 62.3Weather & Climate 59.8

County Report Card

About Harrisonburg city, Virginia

Trailing the National Benchmark

Harrisonburg city carries a composite score of 38.5, which falls below the national median of 50.0. This indicates several opportunities for structural improvement to match national livability standards.

Below the Virginia State Average

The city ranks significantly lower than the Virginia average score of 50.9. It faces steeper hurdles in income and safety compared to many of its state neighbors.

Low Environmental Risks and Stable Schools

Harrisonburg excels in environmental resilience with a risk score of 73.4. The school system maintains a respectable score of 53.4, providing a solid foundation for local families.

Housing and Safety Concerns

Safety scores are low at 20.3, and the affordability score of 19.1 suggests housing costs are high relative to local earnings. Median incomes sit at $59,752, while water data remains currently unavailable.

Suited for Students and Low-Risk Seekers

This city is best for individuals who prioritize living in a low-disaster-risk area. It offers a functional urban environment but requires careful budgeting due to its specific cost-to-income ratio.

2040608010054.118.320.344.153.440.573.459.8Tax54.1Cost18.3Safety20.3Health44.1Schools53.4Income40.5Risk73.4WaterWeather59.838.4/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Harrisonburg city DNA

Foverall

How Harrisonburg city compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Harrisonburg city falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Safety (20.3/100), though Disaster Risk (73.4/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
54.1
Cost
18.3-29.7
Safety
20.3-34.7
Health
44.1
Schools
53.4
Income
40.5-10.5
Risk
73.4+26.400000000000006
Weather
59.8
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Compare mortgage rates in Harrisonburg city

Whether buying or refinancing in Harrisonburg city, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$299,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,184/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$299,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,360/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,254/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Harrisonburg city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Harrisonburg city

via TaxByCounty

Harrisonburg taxes higher than national average

Harrisonburg's effective tax rate of 0.781% exceeds the national median of 0.67%, placing the city in the upper third of American jurisdictions for property tax burden. Residents pay $2,172 in median annual taxes on homes worth $278,200, which is closer to the national median home value of $281,900.

Harrisonburg ranks among Virginia's heaviest

At 0.781%, Harrisonburg's effective tax rate ranks well above Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it in the top tier of Virginia cities and counties. The city's median tax of $2,172 exceeds the state median by 11%, reflecting both the higher rate and relatively robust property values.

Steepest rate in the regional comparison

Harrisonburg's 0.781% effective rate outpaces nearby Hanover County (0.672%) and Highland County (0.564%) significantly. Among the eight jurisdictions examined, only Hopewell city comes close, with a rate of 0.969%, making Harrisonburg the second-highest in this cohort.

Harrisonburg homeowners pay $2,172 yearly

With a median home value of $278,200 and an effective rate of 0.781%, a typical Harrisonburg homeowner faces an annual property tax bill of approximately $2,172. Interestingly, taxes are notably lower for mortgaged homes ($1,977) than for those owned outright ($2,474), suggesting some tax relief benefits apply to financed properties.

Appeal your assessment to cut costs

Given Harrisonburg's above-average tax rate, verifying that your property assessment is accurate becomes especially important. Homeowners who believe their homes are overvalued relative to market conditions have the right to appeal and potentially reduce their annual tax burden.

Income & Jobs in Harrisonburg city

via IncomeByCounty

Harrisonburg lags national income average

Harrisonburg's median household income of $59,752 sits 20% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting its economy anchored by education and service sectors. The city's income profile aligns more with emerging markets than established wealth centers.

Below Virginia's median income

Harrisonburg's $59,752 median household income falls short of Virginia's $74,957 state average by $15,205. The city's per capita income of $27,957 is 29% lower than the state's $39,155 average, typical of college-town economies.

Income gap with surrounding areas

Harrisonburg's $59,752 median trails Highland County ($62,946) and significantly lags Henrico County ($86,397) and Isle of Wight County ($96,118). As home to James Madison University, the city's income reflects a younger, education-focused population with lower earnings potential early in their careers.

Housing costs strain household budgets

A rent-to-income ratio of 22.5% indicates Harrisonburg households dedicate a notably higher share to housing than the 30% affordability threshold suggests is manageable. With median home values at $278,200, first-time homebuyers face tighter affordability pressures.

Start building wealth early in Harrisonburg

Young professionals in Harrisonburg should prioritize automated savings and employer 401(k) matches to build long-term wealth despite moderate current incomes. As careers advance, reinvesting raises and bonuses into diversified investments can close the wealth gap with higher-income regions.

Safety in Harrisonburg city

via CrimeByCounty

Harrisonburg Remains Safer Than National Average

Harrisonburg maintains a strong safety score of 96.7 out of 100. Its total crime rate of 2072.1 per 100K residents sits comfortably below the national average of 2385.5.

Comparing City Safety to Virginia Averages

Harrisonburg's total crime rate of 2072.1 is higher than the Virginia state average of 1728.8. Its safety score of 96.7 trails the statewide average of 97.3 slightly, reflecting its status as a busy regional hub.

Tracking Harrisonburg Against Regional Trends

The city reports crime data through a single agency, necessitating a careful look at local reporting trends. Its total rate of 2072.1 per 100K is significantly higher than nearby rural counties, though common for Virginia independent cities.

Property Crimes Drive Local Statistics

Property crimes make up 1817.2 of the city's total 2072.1 crimes per 100K. The violent crime rate of 254.9 is lower than the national average of 369.8 but slightly exceeds the state average of 229.7.

Securing Your Harrisonburg Property

With property crime representing the bulk of local incidents, residents should prioritize home security systems and outdoor lighting. Simple deterrents remain the most effective way to lower the 1817.2 per 100K property crime risk.

Lawn Care in Harrisonburg city

via LawnByCounty

An Easier Path in Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg city boasts a high lawn difficulty score of 62.3, making it significantly easier to maintain a lawn here than in the average American city. This score outperforms the Virginia state average of 55.4 by nearly seven points. Your local environment provides a competitive advantage for lush green spaces.

Cooler Summers and Moderate Rain

The city averages 39.0 inches of rain annually, which is slightly less than the state average but still within the ideal range for turf. With only 21 extreme heat days, your lawn experiences less summer stress than many other parts of Virginia. Cooler July temperatures averaging 74.8°F help maintain turf health during the height of the growing season.

Testing Local Soil Quality

Specific soil data is limited for the city, so a professional soil test is your best first step to identify local nutrient levels. Most regional soils require monitoring for pH balance to ensure nutrients remain available to the grass. Without a baseline, you risk over-fertilizing or missing critical deficiencies.

Weathering Frequent Dry Intervals

Despite the easier overall maintenance score, the city has endured 30 weeks of drought in the past year. Current conditions show 100% of the area is abnormally dry, requiring careful water management. Use mulch-mowing to return clippings to the lawn, which helps retain moisture during these dry stretches.

Choosing the Right Cool-Season Turf

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue are excellent choices for the local climate. Since specific frost dates aren't recorded, aim to seed in the early fall when temperatures begin to drop from their summer highs. Early establishment ensures your lawn is strong enough to handle the next round of dry weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harrisonburg city's county score?
Harrisonburg city, Virginia has a composite county score of 38.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Harrisonburg city rank among counties in Virginia?
Harrisonburg city ranks #115 among all counties in Virginia on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Harrisonburg city, Virginia?
The median annual property tax in Harrisonburg city is $2,281, with an effective tax rate of 0.76%. This earns Harrisonburg city a tax score of 54.1/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Harrisonburg city?
The median household income in Harrisonburg city, Virginia is $62,254 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Harrisonburg city earns an income score of 40.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Harrisonburg city, Virginia a good place to live?
Harrisonburg city scores 38.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #115 in Virginia. The best way to evaluate Harrisonburg city is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Harrisonburg city with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.