In Harvard, a typical home is worth $175,400 and typical rent is $1,183 a month. Compared with all of McHenry County, the typical home value is 43% lower, typical household income is 35% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 23 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $216,589 to $279,568.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Harvard is in McHenry County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of McHenry County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
60% of households in Harvard own their home, against 83% in McHenry County.
2
The typical home in Harvard is worth $175,400,43% less than in McHenry County as a whole ($308,100).
3
The typical household income in Harvard is $67,617,35% less than in McHenry County as a whole ($104,802).
4
Nearby, in Belvidere, the typical rent is $991: 16% less than in Harvard ($1,183).
5
The typical rent in Harvard is $1,183 a month, 16% less than in McHenry County as a whole ($1,401).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Harvard
What homes there are in Harvard, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Harvard and its comparisons
Measure
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
66%
77%
58%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
10%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
17%
4%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
8%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Harvard (66%), but less so than in McHenry County (77%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Harvard and its comparisons
Measure
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
31%
18%
38%
26%
1960–1979
20%
20%
26%
24%
1980–1999
28%
36%
20%
25%
2000–2009
19%
20%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K61%
$200K–$300K27%
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Harvard and its comparisons
Measure
Harvard
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
61%
$200K–$300K
27%
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99920%
$1,000–$1,49962%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Harvard and its comparisons
Measure
Harvard
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
20%
$1,000–$1,499
62%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$1,522 a month
McHenry County: $2,137 a month
Without a mortgage
$667 a month
McHenry County: $945 a month
Owners with a mortgage
58%
McHenry County: 68%
In Harvard, 58% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,522 a month, against $2,137 in McHenry County. Without one it drops to $667.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Harvard+41%
McHenry County+37%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Harvard+23%
McHenry County+17%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Harvard+27%
McHenry County+21%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Harvard and its comparisons
Measure
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+41%
+37%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+23%
+17%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+27%
+21%
+27%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Harvard gained value faster than in McHenry County: 41% against 37%.
Rents in Harvard rose faster than in McHenry County: 23% since 2015–2019, against 17%.
The typical household income in Harvard rose 27% over that time; home values changed +41% and rent +23%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Harvard and its comparisons
Measure
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.9%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.5%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
3.06
2.64
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
72%
73%
66%
69%
Carpool
16%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
5%
16%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More people live in each home here: 3.06 on average, against 2.64 in McHenry County.
Carpooling is common in Harvard: 16% of workers get to work that way, against 8% in McHenry County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Harvard?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Harvard, worth $175,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 30% of the typical household income in Harvard, which is $67,617 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $72,307 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of McHenry County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Harvard. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $6,139 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,687
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$172,223
Total interest
$247,789
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $2,962 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,578 a month
Tight
$1,578 to $2,029 a month
Your payment · 30%
Hard
more than $2,029 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Harvard ($67,617 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,167
Property tax
$370
Home insurance
$73
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$78
You need at least $6,139 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,687; principal and interest $1,167.
The city and its county
Harvard and McHenry County
Harvard is in McHenry County, Illinois. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Harvard
Map of McHenry County, Illinois, with Harvard marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Harvard
McHenry County
Other cities with a page
Harvard's own numbers
Typical home value
$175,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,183
Typical yearly household income
$67,617
Households that own their home
60%
Effective property tax rate
2.53%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of McHenry County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,011
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of McHenry County.
A typical home in Harvard is worth $175,400: 43% below the county and 33% below Illinois. With the typical household income in Harvard ($67,617 a year), a typical home costs 2.6 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Harvard2.6 years
McHenry2.9 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in McHenry County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in McHenry County rose 86% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of McHenry County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in McHenry County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.0% +3.0% 2016
2017: +5.0% +5.0% 2017
2018: +4.5% +4.5% 2018
2019: +2.8% +2.8% 2019
2020: +2.0% +2.0% 2020
2021: +10.3% +10.3% 2021
2022: +14.6% +14.6% 2022
2023: +9.4% +9.4% 2023
2024: +7.4% +7.4% 2024
2025: +5.8% +5.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in McHenry County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.8%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+57%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+86%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Harvard next to McHenry County, Illinois and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Harvard$175,400
McHenry$308,100
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Harvard$1,183
McHenry$1,401
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Harvard$67,617
McHenry$104,802
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Harvard next to McHenry County and Illinois
Measure
Harvard
McHenry County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$175,400 ▼43% below the county
$308,100
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,183 ▼16% below the county
$1,401
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$67,617 ▼35% below the county
$104,802
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
60% ▼23 points below the county
83%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,431 ▼39% below the county
$7,274
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
2.53% ▲0.17 points above the county
2.36%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
55% ▲4 points above the county
51%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below McHenry County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Harvard
For a typical $175,400 home in Harvard, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Harvard's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,687a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,139
Cash to close
$11,401
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $78
Conventional, 5% down$1,655a month
Down payment
$8,770
Cash to close
$14,032
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $83
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,393a month
Down payment
$35,080
Cash to close
$40,342
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,556a month
Down payment
$26,310
Cash to close
$31,572
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Harvard
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,687
$6,139
$172,223
7.18%
FHA MIP · $78
$11,401
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,655
$8,770
$166,630
7.18%
PMI · $83
$14,032
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,393
$35,080
$140,320
7.18%
None
$40,342
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,556
$26,310
$149,090
8.18%
None
$31,572
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Harvard is $1,183 a month: 16% below the county. In Harvard, 55% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of McHenry County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,011 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $38.67 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in McHenry County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,678
$32.27
$67,120
1 bedroom
$1,780
$34.23
$71,200
2 bedrooms
$2,011
$38.67
$80,440
3 bedrooms
$2,586
$49.73
$103,440
4 bedrooms
$2,954
$56.81
$118,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Harvard
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Harvard is in ZIP code 60033.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,640: $371 less than the fair market rent for McHenry County ($2,011).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Harvard, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
60033
$1,370
$1,450
$1,640
$2,110
$2,410
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
60033 $1,640$2,110
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Harvard when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in McHenry County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Harvard or McHenry County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Harvard the same as in the rest of the state.
IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois.Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Harvard or McHenry County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Harvard and all of McHenry County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Harvard?
The typical home value in Harvard is $175,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in McHenry County it is $308,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Harvard?
Typical rent in Harvard is $1,183 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in McHenry County is $2,011.
What is the FHA loan limit in Harvard?
Harvard uses the FHA limit for all of McHenry County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Harvard?
The typical homeowner in Harvard pays $4,431 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.53% of the home’s value; in McHenry County, the rate is 2.36%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Harvard?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in McHenry County. 2 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
