on $100k a year, leaving Phoenix
changea 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.
the verdict
below Phoenix's monthly cost
The gap is real. Reading costs noticeably less than Phoenix, every month.
a quick ledger.
$1,478/mo
15% cheaper than Phoenix(vs $1,739/mo)
3.07%
$48/mo more in state tax than Phoenix
vs 2.5% in Phoenix
$6,600/mo
$214 more than Phoenix
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$311k
32% cheaper than Phoenix
vs $458k in Phoenix
433k
vs 5.1M in Phoenix
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in reading.
Phoenix edges ahead with 181 pleasant days. Winter has bite, though: 32 days drop below 20° vs Phoenix's 0.
85% fewer events than Phoenix. The pace eases up.
65/100
2% lower than Phoenix
vs 66/100 in Phoenix
Closest outdoor draw: French Creek State Park, 9.6 mi.
85/100
12% lower than Phoenix
vs 97/100 in Phoenix
0
100% fewer than Phoenix
vs 91 nonstops in Phoenix
neighbors of reading on the map of tradeoffs:
compare reading with:
