$100k a year, no longer in Allentown

change
Reading, PA cityscape

swapping out of allentown

Reading

pa · metro 433k

a dispatch from

reading

PA

40.33°N

75.93°W

Reading is the Pagoda lit up on Mount Penn (a Japanese-style pavilion built in 1908 that's become the city symbol), old factory bones, and the surrounding Berks County farmland. The downtown food and art scene is growing into the old factory bones, with breweries and galleries opening steadily. Pretzels, scrapple, and Pennsylvania Dutch baking are everywhere. Cheaper than nearby Lancaster.

metro433k

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$331

under Allentown, every month

Reading is the easier version of your monthly budget. Lower rent, lighter monthly outlay.
landable, recorded on the reading entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,478/mo

18% cheaper than Allentown(vs $1,809/mo)

02state income tax

3.07%

vs 3.07% in Allentown

03after rent

$6,600/mo

$331 more than Allentown

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$311k

13% cheaper than Allentown

vs $359k in Allentown

05metro size

433k

vs 874k in Allentown

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

157

pleasant days a year, in reading.

Allentown only manages 157 of those.

Comparable to Allentown for events and concerts.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

65/100

11% lower than Allentown

vs 73/100 in Allentown

Closest outdoor draw: French Creek State Park, 9.6 mi.

·walk score®

85/100

1% lower than Allentown

vs 86/100 in Allentown

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Allentown

vs 9 nonstops in Allentown

04 · see also

if reading appeals, also worth a look:

compare reading with: