2026 Compare Cities Economy:
Reading, PA vs Monroe, LA

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Highlights
- Household income in Monroe, is 12% less than it is in Reading and is 103% below the National Average.
- Reading unemployment rate is 14.8%.
- Monroe unemployment rate is 7.8%.
 Reading, PAMonroe, LAUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock7.8%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.8%1.6%
 Future Job Growth21.0%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock6.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$18,557  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$33,925$69,021
 Family Median Income$47,721  Unlock$85,028
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 Est. Households By Income
 Reading, PAMonroe, LAUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock29.0%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K6.3%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock8.8%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K10.2%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock7.2%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.6%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock6.8%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K10.5%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock6.3%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K2.5%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock5.3%9.5%
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 Population By Occupation
 Reading, PAMonroe, LAUnited States
 Management, business, finance6.1%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock3.5%6.5%
 Community, social services2.8%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.9%1.2%
 Education, library3.6%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock1.1%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology3.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock6.8%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.7%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock9.6%5.4%
 Building maintenance5.1%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.5%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support18.1%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.4%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair5.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock11.4%13.1%
Reviews for Reading    15 Reviews

Over 11 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 12 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 13 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 Monroe    8 Reviews

Over 8 years ago

If you are looking a place for high crime, high poverty, high obesity rates, high taxes, high unemployment, and high citizens, you have arrived at the right place. I  More

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Lived in Monroe/West Monroe for 2 years, I deeply regret it. Here's why. Not only is Monroe/West Monroe next to a plant that spews it's disgusting, cancerous smog,  More

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Over 17 years ago

We have one of the best universities around. We have high ratings all across the board. Why don't you consider checking us  More

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