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→Lexington
Lexington is the Thoroughbred horse capital of the world, with bluegrass-fed horse farms surrounding the city in white-fenced perfection. Keeneland racetrack is one of the most beautiful in the world. The bourbon trail starts right here. Downtown is small but tightening up nicely with food and bars. The University of Kentucky's blue bleeds through everything.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,478/mo
$1,488/mo
Median home price
Median home price
$311k
$324k
$14k more than Reading
State income tax
State income tax
3.1%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,600/mo
$6,470/mo
Reading has $130/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
171 days
14 more 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
19 days
days below 20°F per year
Reading drops below 20°F on 13 more days per year than Lexington.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
65 / 100
60 / 100
5.0 pts behind Reading
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
0 routes
13 routes
13 more direct routes than Reading
Metro size
Metro size
433k metro
520k metro
Reading has 1.4x fewer events per month than Lexington.
the verdict
4
Reading
categories won
3
Lexington
categories won
Reading wins on money. Lexington has the edge on weather.
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