same $100k income, fresh start from Salem
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
lighter monthly cost than Salem
Not a fortune, but real money. Reading runs cheaper than Salem month over month.
a quick ledger.
$1,478/mo
10% cheaper than Salem(vs $1,642/mo)
3.07%
$473/mo less in state tax than Salem
vs 8.75% in Salem
$6,600/mo
$638 more than Salem
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$311k
31% cheaper than Salem
vs $452k in Salem
433k
vs 437k in Salem
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in reading.
Salem has the edge here, logging 201 pleasant days a year. Winter shows up, though: 32 days below 20° vs Salem's 1.
Nights and weekends fill up faster. 29.0× more on the calendar than Salem.
65/100
6% lower than Salem
vs 69/100 in Salem
Closest outdoor draw: French Creek State Park, 9.6 mi.
85/100
3% lower than Salem
vs 88/100 in Salem
0
0% fewer than Salem
vs 0 nonstops in Salem
same energy as reading, different zip code:
compare reading with:
