Reading receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Hazleton
Reading
Opportunity
38 · Bottom 15%
vs39 · Bottom 16%
Growth
44 · Bottom 38%
vs33 · Bottom 21%
Climate
63 · Bottom 29%
vs69 · Bottom 45%
Physical resilience
72 · Top 33%
vs85 · Top 17%
Housing affordability
73 · Bottom 38%
vs75 · Bottom 41%
Schools
13 · Bottom 4%
vs14 · Bottom 5%
Access
62 · Bottom 8%
vs77 · Bottom 18%
Economic stability
38 · Bottom 15%
vs39 · Bottom 16%
Measured values
| Metric | Hazleton | Reading | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,111 | 95,242 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $46,177 | $44,091 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $22,188 | $21,406 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 5,042/sq mi | 9,676/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $151,600 | $121,300 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,089 | $1,067 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 51.1% | 40.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 6.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.6% | 2.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 11.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 25.0% | 28.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 15 | 0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.5 | 0.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 23°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 38.7" | 45.2" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 67 mi | 45 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.2 min | 26.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.5 | 31.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 3 | 21 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 16.53 | 14.73 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 9.4% | 7.4% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 24.6% | 17.6% | 2019-20 school 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
Hazleton
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Reading
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Full profiles: Hazleton, PA · Reading, PA · How this is calculated: methodology