Reading receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Reading
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
Opportunity
71 · Top 22%
vs79 · Top 12%
Growth
67 · Top 24%
vs60 · Top 34%
Climate
69 · Top 42%
vs64 · Bottom 45%
Physical resilience
86 · Top 8%
vs71 · Top 27%
Housing affordability
97 · Top 39%
vs91 · Bottom 39%
Access
76 · Bottom 49%
vs65 · Bottom 29%
Economic stability
77 · Top 18%
vs82 · Top 11%
Measured values
| Metric | Reading | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 433,015 | 873,603 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $79,777 | $84,587 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,815 | $44,264 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 506/sq mi | 601/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $257,300 | $300,800 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,181 | $1,365 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 71.3% | 69.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2% | 4.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 2.9% | 3.1% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 33.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.2% | 10.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 929 | 2,144 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.1 | 2.5 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 228.3% | -3.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 87°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 22°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 47.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 47 mi | 64 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 27.1 min | 29.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.9 | 41.4 | 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
Reading
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Reading
77
Your Score
77
Area Score
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton
73
Your Score
73
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Reading, PA Metro Area · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology