2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Reading, PA vs Rochester, NY

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or is it cheaper to live in Reading?
- Rochester is 5.7% less expensive than Reading.

Which city has more affordable housing, Rochester or Reading?
- Rochester housing costs are 28.0% less expensive than Reading housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Reading or is Health Care more affordable in Rochester.
- Health related expenses are 6.9% less in Rochester.
 Reading, PARochester, NYUnited States
 Overall  Unlock88.6100
 Food & Groceries97.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.3100
 Housing62.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$130,900$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock90.6100
 Miscellaneous109.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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 Rochester    79 Reviews

Stay out of the rougher patches, and you'll find a pretty solid city. I live within close proximity to it, and the crime from it DOES rub off on us (auto theft), but  More

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Rochester isn't perfect (I'll detail pros and cons), but it's certainly perfect for me and my husband. We've lived here for 4 years and are getting ready to purchase our  More

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Rochester is a scenic city with so much to offer in terms of things to do and having 4 seasons, except the summer is more like a long spring!! It's a relatively unknown  More

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