01 · the cities
Reading
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.
full dispatch→Akron
Akron was the Rubber City (Goodyear, Firestone, BFGoodrich all built here), and the legacy still shapes its industrial bones. LeBron James is from Akron and never forgets it. The Goodyear blimp is based in town. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is just north, with waterfalls and rail-trails. Cheaper than Cleveland, with its own quiet charm.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,478/mo
$1,259/mo
$219/mo less than Reading (17%)
Median home price
Median home price
$311k
$236k
$74k less than Reading
State income tax
State income tax
3.1%
4.0%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,600/mo
$6,742/mo
Akron has $142/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
157 days
152 days
5 fewer than Reading
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
2 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
32 days
40 days
days below 20°F per year
Akron drops below 20°F on 8 more days per year than Reading.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
65 / 100
65 / 100
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
0 routes
11 routes
11 more direct routes than Reading
Metro size
Metro size
433k metro
698k metro
Reading has 1.1x fewer events per month than Akron.
the verdict
3
Reading
categories won
4
Akron
categories won
Akron wins on money and lifestyle. Reading has the edge on weather.
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