Cost of Living: Reading, PA vs Allentown, PA

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,337/mo in Reading, PA versus $4,337/mo in Allentown, PA. In the model, rent is about 14.83% of gross in Reading, PA versus 18.5% in Allentown, PA, so Reading, PA tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Reading, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: above
Take-home in Allentown, PA
$4,337/mo
Income level: above
Rent share (1BR) in Reading, PA
14.83%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Allentown, PA
18.5%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Reading, PA and Allentown, PA.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Allentown, PA
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Reading, PA
  • Lower home prices: Reading, PA
  • Higher median household income: Allentown, PA

Cost of Living Index

Reading, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Allentown, PA: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Reading, PA: $967/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Allentown, PA: $1,206/mo

Median rent in Allentown, PA is $239/mo higher than in Reading, PA.

Median Home Price

Reading, PA: $109,800 · Allentown, PA: $188,900

Median home price in Allentown, PA is $79,100 higher than in Reading, PA.

Median Household Income

Reading, PA: $45,599 · Allentown, PA: $53,403

Allentown, PA has a higher median household income than Reading, PA by $7,804.

Reading, PA overview · Allentown, PA overview · Popular comparisons