Reading receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
Reading
Opportunity
79 · Top 12%
vs71 · Top 22%
Growth
60 · Top 34%
vs67 · Top 24%
Climate
64 · Bottom 45%
vs69 · Top 42%
Physical resilience
71 · Top 27%
vs86 · Top 8%
Housing affordability
91 · Bottom 39%
vs97 · Top 39%
Access
65 · Bottom 29%
vs76 · Bottom 49%
Economic stability
82 · Top 11%
vs77 · Top 18%
Measured values
| Metric | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | Reading | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 873,603 | 433,015 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $84,587 | $79,777 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $44,264 | $39,815 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 601/sq mi | 506/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $300,800 | $257,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,365 | $1,181 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.7% | 71.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 4.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 3.1% | 2.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.5% | 27.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | 12.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 2,144 | 929 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.5 | 2.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -3.6% | 228.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 86°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 22°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 45.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 64 mi | 47 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 29.0 min | 27.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 41.4 | 39.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Reading
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
73
Your Score
73
Area Score
Reading
77
Your Score
77
Area Score
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Full profiles: Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area · Reading, PA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology