Reading, PA
Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data
Avg Salary
$64,828
across all roles
Cost Index
86
Very Affordable
Avg Rent
$1,281/mo
1-bed apartment
Affordability
6/10
Moderate Affordability
How affordable is Reading?
Moderate Affordability
Purchasing power score: 1.77× (take-home ÷ living costs)
With a cost of living index of 86 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,717/mo, Reading is a low-cost market — your salary goes further here than in most US cities.
Cost of Living Benchmarks
Cost Index
86
US avg = 100
Est. Monthly Rent
$1,281
1-bed, city avg
Avg Disposable
$1,717
after taxes + living costs
Median Salary
$56,913
across all tracked roles
Purchasing Power
1.77×
take-home ÷ costs
Jobs Tracked
791
job titles with data
Highest-Paying Jobs in Reading
By gross annual salary
- $203,883
- $202,844
- $201,428
- $197,840
- $195,647
- $195,636
- $193,652
- $190,815
- $183,573
- $181,328
Best Jobs for Disposable Income
After taxes and living costs
- $10,176/mo
- $10,113/mo
- $10,027/mo
- $9,808/mo
- $9,675/mo
- $9,674/mo
- $9,554/mo
- $9,381/mo
- $8,940/mo
- $8,804/mo
Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Reading
These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.
Explore Reading Further
All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.