2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Reading, PA vs Chester, PA

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Highlights
- Household income in Chester, is 8% less than it is in Reading and is 93% below the National Average.
- Reading unemployment rate is 14.8%.
- Chester unemployment rate is 14.4%.
 Reading, PAChester, PAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock14.4%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.3%1.6%
 Future Job Growth21.0%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock5.2%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$18,557  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$35,751$69,021
 Family Median Income$47,721  Unlock$85,028
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 Est. Households By Income
 Reading, PAChester, PAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock18.6%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K6.3%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock13.5%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K10.2%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock9.3%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.6%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock7.4%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K10.5%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock7.6%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K2.5%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock1.1%9.5%
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 Population By Occupation
 Reading, PAChester, PAUnited States
 Management, business, finance6.1%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock2.9%6.5%
 Community, social services2.8%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.1%1.2%
 Education, library3.6%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock0.8%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology3.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock15.4%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.7%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock7.3%5.4%
 Building maintenance5.1%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.9%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support18.1%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.0%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair5.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock17.4%13.1%
Reviews for Reading    15 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

Having lived in Reading in the 1960's and early 1970's I can definitely say the city has gone downhill as it has in reality been a victim of two major forces; first  More

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Over 11 years ago

Berks County is beautiful in the fall. Cool, crisp air and the trees are a pallet of  More

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Over 12 years ago

Well to start, in the past 8 years ive lived in 7 states, some pros and cons. Tucson I loved in all respects except its not as nice as living in a small town but it  More

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Reviews for Chester    7 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A SMALL TOWN, THE TRANSPORTATION IS CONVENIENT FOR ALL MODES OR LINKS TO ALL AREAS OUTSIDE THE  More

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The people are the problem in Chester PA. Probably 97% of the poplulation abuses drugs. Many of the people that live there aide the drug dealers because they grew up  More

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25% of the population living below the poverty line, at times the drop out rate from the high school has been 50% (which explains why 25% of adults over 18 don't have a  More

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