From Riverfront Views to Row Houses: Harrisburg's Best-Kept Affordable Renting Secrets

Welcome to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s capital and one of the most charming and affordable cities in PA. Renters will find a tremendous array of options here, from urban living in 19th-century row houses to contemporary lofts and suburban houses. And with the gorgeous Susquehanna River on one side and the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains on the other, Harrisburg is also great for people who like to be surrounded by nature. Let’s explore the best affordable neighborhoods to rent in Harrisburg!

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Harrisburg

Fox Ridge Historic District

This is such a cool little historic neighborhood. Just a handful of square blocks, the Fox Ridge Historic District is bounded on two sides by 3rd and 6th streets, and on the other two sides by Forster Street and Herr Street.

It’s just a block away from the State Capitol Complex and the State Museum of Pennsylvania, making it a great place to live if you work at the Capitol. The neighborhood itself has historic charm to spare, with brick sidewalks and old 19th-century vernacular-style homes, including some classic PA row homes. There’s a modern development or two, but almost all the rentals here are in historic houses.

Some of my favorite restaurants and bars are in and around this neighborhood, especially along 3rd Street. I also highly recommend the Jackson House, an iconic burger joint that has been serving some of the best hamburgers, Italian subs and cheesesteaks in Harrisburg since 1982.

Hardscrabble

A small section of the larger Midtown Harrisburg area, Hardscrabble got its start as a rugged settlement along the Susquehanna River in the 1800s. The area was a major logging hub at the time

Initially, Hardscrabble got its name because it was a rough area. Today, it’s anything but. The area formerly known as Hardscrabble encompasses the section of Front Street between Herr and Calder Streets, give or take. It’s a nice little area, easily walkable to anywhere in Midtown.

Hardscrabble is also connected to Uptown and Downtown Harrisburg by the Capital Area Greenbelt, which provides beautiful views of the river. Properties here include a lot of old row homes and brownstones as well as some modern apartment buildings.

Progress/Colonial Park

Welcome to the suburbs! Located just northeast of Downtown Harrisburg, the communities of Progress and Colonial Park are charming and quiet. The two neighboring suburbs are adjacent to one another on either side of Interstate 83.

Each offers a wide variety of modern and historic homes and apartments that are great for families. Schools in the Central Dauphin School District are highly rated, and both communities are convenient to UPMC Harrisburg Hospital.

Shopping and dining are abundant throughout the Progress/Colonial Park area, and there are great parks and green spaces as well. The Oak Park Trail is one of my favorite hiking trails in Harrisburg.

Capitol Heights

I remember when the area we currently call Capitol Heights was known as “Lottsville,” a half-affectionate, half-derisive nickname stemming from the area’s abundance of vacant lots. But this swath of east of 3rd Street between Kelker and Reily has been the site of some major revitalization starting in the early aughts.

Today’s Capitol Heights neighborhood is made up of 300-plus modern townhouses and single-family duplexes. It has the look and feel of a contemporary development, kind of like a small suburb in the middle of the city.

Housing here is clean, new and affordable. Less than 10 minutes from the State Capitol and Downtown Harrisburg, it’s an excellent place for students, young families and working professionals.

Downtown Harrisburg

Centered around the historic Market Square, which is the geographic nucleus of the city, Downtown Harrisburg is a lively, vibrant central business district. The State Capitol Complex is considered part of Downtown as well, though the adjacent Capitol District is its own separate neighborhood.

Downtown is the oldest part of the city, originally laid out in a grid-like pattern by John Harris in 1785. This is where you live if you want to be where the action is. And for urban downtown living, apartments here are surprisingly affordable.

Rentals in Downtown Harrisburg tend to be in apartment high-rises or the upper floors of mixed-use commercial/residential buildings. Downtown living puts you within walking distance of many of the city’s best bars and restaurants, many of them clustered around 2nd Street. Downtown also has a beautiful riverfront.

South Harrisburg

South Harrisburg, also known as Southside, is a large area south of I-83 and east of the Susquehanna River. Historically, this neighborhood has generally been known as a low-income area with a mix of industrial and residential areas.

That being said, the city has put some major dollars into overhauling the area since 2023. If that doesn’t sound like a glowing recommendation, know that there are some really great things about South Harrisburg.

With access to the Capital Area Greenbelt, the neighborhood has excellent green spaces—great for dog walking—and the interstate makes for an easy commute. Property is extremely affordable, and rentals range from apartment buildings and complexes to single-family homes and duplexes.

Olde Uptown

The Olde Uptown Historic District—more often referred to simply as Olde Uptown—is easily one of the most handsome and charming neighborhoods in Harrisburg. Spanning an area of roughly three by five blocks, this area is packed with beautiful old homes.

That includes some stunning, large Queen Anne and Italianate homes from the turn of the 20th century. The Pennsylvania Governor’s official residence is here, and the neighborhood’s picturesque streets are easily walkable and bikeable to both Midtown and Uptown.

You’ll find more shopping and dining options in the surrounding areas than in Olde Uptown proper, but there are some hidden gems here. Little Amps Coffee is some of the best in Harrisburg, and Alvaro Bread & Pastry Shoppe is a great little Italian bakery and cafe.

East Shore/Central

The precise boundaries of East Shore/Central are hard to define, but this large area generally extends north and east of Uptown Harrisburg, encompassing several suburban communities and even including some more rural areas. The vibe is mostly relaxed, suburban and family-friendly.

Renters will find just about anything they might be looking for here, from numerous apartment buildings and complexes to single-family homes on quiet, well-kept streets with lots of shady trees. There are a lot of dining options too, ranging from chain restaurants to locally-owned eateries.

East Shore/Central also has some beautiful outdoor attractions, especially in the northern part of the area, which encompasses the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is gorgeous, and the Country Club of Harrisburg might just be the best golf course in the city.

East Harrisburg

Inside the Capital Beltway and just east of Downtown, the East Harrisburg area is a widely varied neighborhood—or collection of neighborhoods—that encompasses the city’s Eastside. It’s a difficult area to sum up because there’s so much going on here.

Some of the best areas within East Harrisburg are Allison Hill and the Bellevue area. Bellevue Park is a beautiful neighborhood green space, and the 85-acre Reservoir Park is the largest in the city; it’s home to a fascinating Civil War Museum.

There are all kinds of rentals here. The most common structures are charming row houses and semi-detached properties, most of them dating to the early 20th century. Some of Harrisburg’s best Mexican and Asian eateries are scattered along Derry and Cameron streets, and craft beer fans won’t want to sleep on Appalachian Brewing Company.

Capitol District

Wedged between Downtown and Midtown Harrisburg, the Capitol District is a small, historic neighborhood with a lot of character. Here you’ll find beautiful river views to the southwest and a lovely view of the ornate State Capitol building to the northeast.

The Capitol District is compact and easy to navigate, and it’s an incredibly charming neighborhood, with old brick streets and many buildings dating back to the 19th century. The neighborhood’s residential streets are tree-lined and quiet.

Renters can choose among a wide range of studio apartments, multi-bedroom units and townhomes in the Capitol District, often in beautiful historic buildings. The Capitol District also boasts great bars, restaurants, and cafes, many of which offer breezy al fresco dining. Check out Cork & Fork for fantastic Italian-inspired small plates, or the Vegetable Hunter for some of Harrisburg’s best vegan fare and microbrews.