| Index | Reading | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 88 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 56 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 104 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 101 | 100 |
The cost of living in Reading affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Reading is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Reading stands out by reporting housing costs that are 44.3% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 5 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Reading. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 0% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 100% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Reading affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Reading, for instance, where the median home price falls 56.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 15.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Reading flaunting a median household income of $53,504, 34.2% lower than the national norm.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Reading, the utilities index stands at 0.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Reading, the healthcare costs are 1% higher than the national average.
The Reading cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $73,369 | $6,114 | $1,712 | $2,201 |
| Renters | $39,091 | $3,258 | $912 | $1,173 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Kutztown University, PA | 4,018 | 101 | 1.2% |
| Hyde Park borough, PA | 462 | 86 | 14.0% |
| West Hamburg, PA | 2,273 | 87 | 12.9% |
| Alsace Manor, PA | 349 | 91 | 8.7% |
| Mount Penn, PA | 3,174 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Reading, PA | 90,906 | 88 | 12.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Champaign, IL | 90,911 | 98 | 2.4% |
| Palm Coast, FL | 91,057 | 112 | 11.9% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 90,724 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Newton, MA | 90,578 | 207 | 106.6% |
| Ogden, UT | 90,520 | 101 | 1.5% |
| Reading, PA | 90,906 | 88 | 12.4% |
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