CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Harrisburg is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 12.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $90,000 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+57.1%
Harrisburg
96.3
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries+3.3%
Harrisburg
100.7
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+9.4%
Harrisburg
102.6
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+9.4%
Harrisburg
92.8
Seattle
101.5
Utilities14.2%
Harrisburg
108.1
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$90,000
$10,000 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 1.1256. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

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

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 57.1% higher housing costs compared to Harrisburg.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

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

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

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

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.