same $100k income, fresh start from Gainesville

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Reading, PA cityscape

swapping out of gainesville

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

$88

more expensive each month than Gainesville

Reading edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
landable, recorded on the reading entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,478/mo

10% cheaper than Gainesville(vs $1,645/mo)

02state income tax

3.07%

$256/mo more in state tax than Gainesville

vs 0% in Gainesville

03after rent

$6,600/mo

$88 less than Gainesville

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

04a house here

$311k

2% cheaper than Gainesville

vs $317k in Gainesville

05metro size

433k

vs 350k in Gainesville

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

157

pleasant days a year, in reading.

Gainesville has the edge here, logging 206 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Gainesville's 0.

A month here packs 9.7× the events of Gainesville.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

65/100

3% higher than Gainesville

vs 63/100 in Gainesville

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

·walk score®

85/100

7% lower than Gainesville

vs 91/100 in Gainesville

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

0

100% fewer than Gainesville

vs 5 nonstops in Gainesville

04 · see also

cities that play in reading's register:

compare reading with: