Reading, Pennsylvania
Among the top 15% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 17% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 36% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 14% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 85% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 19% of US places
- top 16% for walkability
- bottom 2% for monthly owner costs
Reading is a mid-size city in Pennsylvania with about 95,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include walkability, sales tax, and airport distance. It rates lower on air quality and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Reading is $97k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Reading is $43k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Reading is $942 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Reading has a violent crime rate of 1818/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Reading is 24 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
very cold
cold
cool
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warm
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69%52%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.7 in3.4 in
humid 89%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$43k16th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 53% of US places
Home Value$97k22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$942better than 47% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$13kbetter than 2% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.82%better than 14% of US places
Income Tax4.95%better than 51% of US places
State 3.10% + Local 1.85%
Sales Tax6.34%better than 77% of US places
Estimated total tax burden11.17%better than 34% of US places
Unemployment11.3%better than 11% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)31°F46th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)76°F51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation49.3 in76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall27.2 inbetter than 37% of US places
Sunny Days223 daysbetter than 40% of US places
Summer Humidity63°Fbetter than 54% of US places
Comfortable Days81 daysbetter than 47% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk59.6better than 59% of US places
Air Quality55 AQIbetter than 4% of US places
School Quality63.2better than 57% of US places
Violent Crime1818/100kbetter than 10% of US places
Property Crime1401/100kbetter than 33% of US places
Community
Population94,60199th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age31.111th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.7399th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9236th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)21.0%8th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)8.3%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)67.2%97th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.0%70th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)2.6%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time24 minbetter than 60% of US places
Walkability9.4/20better than 84% of US places
Airport Distance48 mibetter than 69% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access79.4%better than 29% of US places
Amenities Nearby26.64better than 26% of US places
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 43% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Reading an affordable place to live?
- Reading is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 53% of comparable areas. Median rent is $942.
- Is Reading safe?
- Reading is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1818/100k (better than 10%). Property crime is 1401/100k.
- What is the weather like in Reading?
- Reading averages 76°F in July and 31°F in January, with 49.3 in of annual precipitation and about 223 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Reading?
- Public-school quality in Reading is about average, scoring better than 57% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Reading?
- The average one-way commute in Reading is 24 min.