2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Reading, PA vs West Lafayette, IN

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in West Lafayette, is 26% less than it is in Reading and is 140% below the National Average.
- Reading unemployment rate is 14.8%.
- West Lafayette unemployment rate is 2.9%.
 Reading, PAWest Lafayette, INUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock2.9%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock3.6%1.6%
 Future Job Growth21.0%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes6.0%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock4.3%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$18,557  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$28,744$69,021
 Family Median Income$47,721  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Reading, PAWest Lafayette, INUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock29.5%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  Unlock5.1%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K8.6%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock7.0%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K10.5%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock8.1%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K2.5%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock6.8%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Reading, PAWest Lafayette, INUnited States
 Management, business, finance6.1%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock14.0%6.5%
 Community, social services2.8%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock0.2%1.2%
 Education, library3.6%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock2.4%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology3.1%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock2.0%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement1.7%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock10.4%5.4%
 Building maintenance5.1%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock5.6%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support18.1%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.9%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair5.8%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock6.1%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

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Reading

Reviews for West Lafayette    11 Reviews

I am originally from Greencastle, Indiana, a nice friendly rural town and home to DePauw University. Presently, I live in West Lafayette, Indiana, due to my having been  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

It's a nice small town. It's too bad it's not closer to Indy. I think I would like it here  More

   |    Reply

Over 14 years ago

They have good schools, parks and always have events to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of West Lafayette


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.