Rows tagged local are specific to Reading (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Reading, PA. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district Reading SD · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
96.5
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
98.3
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.49
metro-area
#107 of 200 metros
Median household income
$42,852
local
#3125 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$29,193
local
#3049 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
39.9 years
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
27.2%
metro-area
#157 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
8.8%
metro-area
#90 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
71.0%
metro-area
#30 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
11.35%
local
#3134 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+7.2%
local
#973 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$96,900
local
#46 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.3×
local
#124 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+2.6%
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$55
local
#65 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,749 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$942
local
#282 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
658
Median days on market
6
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.6%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.34%
state
#32 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
3.07%
Capital gains tax
3.07%
state
#53 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.82%
local
#2644 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,767
local
#497 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
77.8 years
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,000
state
#129 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
7.5%
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
63
metro-area
#159 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$12,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$65
state
#29 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
24 min
local
#1002 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.3%
metro-area
#100 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
32.7%
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
21.5¢/kWh
state
#147 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$193
state
#141 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.55/gal
state
#150 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$82
state
#167 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$65
state
#14 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,200
state
#8 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#51 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Lower natural-disaster risk; standard home coverage usually sufficient.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
92.7 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#125 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$650
state
#41 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
43
metro-area
#70 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
800
metro-area
#49 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
91%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
15
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
85°F
metro-area
#59 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
22°F
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
44.1"
metro-area
#116 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
23.1"
metro-area
#127 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#132 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
390
state
#91 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,400
state
#11 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
15
metro-area
#197 of 200 metros
Parks
37
Hiking areas
9
Golf courses
7
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.