Reading 80 Exceptional
Reading Livability #117 ranked city in Ohio#1,801 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Reading

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Schools Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

What's it like Living in Reading?

Reading, Ohio is a medium-sized city with a population of 10,626 inhabitants. Reading has a population density of 3,675 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Reading is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Reading is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Reading can be a good experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Ohio, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Reading and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Reading to Ohio and the national average.

Using data and statistics Reading has received a livability score of 79 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 93rd percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on this score, Reading would be considered a very livable city! Reading has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. For each of the livability categories, we know that Reading ranks very well for cost of living (A+), education (A-) and housing (A+). The bad news for Reading, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F).

Ensuring a sense of security is paramount for the majority of residents in any area. Low crime rates exert a positive influence on various aspects, including home prices, rates of home appreciation and the cultivation of positive community dynamics and social cohesion. In the case of Reading, it boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 153 crimes per 100,000 residents, which significantly outperforms the national average.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Reading excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Reading is actually affordable. The median home price for Reading homes is $239,826, which is 2.1% higher than the Ohio average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Reading, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 3.2% lower than the Ohio average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Reading

See all the best places to live around Reading

How Do You Rate The Livability In Reading?

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Compare Reading, OH Livability

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      Reading transportation information

      Statistic Reading Ohio National
      Average one way commute19min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work87.9%83.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.6%7.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.5%2.3%2.8%
      Working from home3.7%3.7%4.6%
      Source: The Reading, OH data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.