Reading, PA

The Reading, PA metropolitan area is an exciting and vibrant city perfect for those looking for an urban lifestyle. This cosmopolitan city offers plenty of activities to keep its residents busy from the variety of shops and restaurants to nearby hiking trails and parks. Quality educational institutions can be found throughout the region as well as medical facilities that provide top notch health care services at an affordable cost of living compared to other cities in Pennsylvania. Families looking for housing can find reasonable properties with easy access to all amenities such as schools, shopping centers, banks – making it a great option for buyers. The cultural activities offered in Reading make it ideal for art lovers while outdoor sports fans will find plenty of opportunities including golf courses and even skiing resorts nearby. Small city - East-central Pennsylvania, 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

State: Pennsylvania
County:
Metro Area: Reading Metro Area
City: Reading, Spring township (Berks County), 131 total

Zip Codes: 19606, 19601, 19604, 19607, 19608, 19605, 19512, 19602, 19530, 19610, 48 total
Cost of Living: -5.9% lower
Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Elevation: 260 ft above sea level

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Pros
Historic interest
Attractive setting
Strategic location

Cons
Economy
Entertainment
Low educational attainment

What Bert Has To Say About Reading Metro Area

Reading is a declining industrial center in southwest Pennsylvania originally built on heavy industry, textiles, and anthracite coal. The heavy industry and Victorian wealth have left an imprint on the town, which has done a good job preserving its historic heritage. The city reached its nadir in the early 1970’s, first with industrial and downtown commercial closures and then with flooding from Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Among the first steps in recovery was the creation of a large outlet mall, supposedly among the first in the country, for which the area is well known today.

Highlights

ECONOMY

The unemployment rate in Reading Metro Area is 7.6% (U.S. avg. is 6.0%). Recent job growth is Positive. Reading Metro Area jobs have increased by 0.6%. More Economy

COST OF LIVING

Compared to the rest of the country, Reading Metro Area's cost of living is 5.9% lower than the U.S. average. More Cost of Living or Compare Reading Metro Area's Cost of Living

WEATHER & CLIMATE

June, September and August are the most pleasant months in the Reading metro area, while January and February are the least comfortable months. Today's Weather | Climate Averages

VOTING

In the last Presidential election, the Reading metro area remained moderately Republican, 53.2% to 45.1%. More Voting Stats

POPULATION

Reading Metro Area's population is 426,967 people. Since 2020, it has had a population growth of 2.0%. Learn More...

TRANSPORTATION

Average Commute time is 24.9 minutes. The National Average is 26.4 minutes. Learn More...

REAL ESTATE

The median home cost in Reading Metro Area is . Home appreciation the last 10 years has been 12.7%.

SCHOOLS

Reading Metro Area public schools spend $14,121 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $12,383. There are about 14.3 students per teacher in Reading Metro Area. More Education

Reading Rankings

#21	America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Mid-Size Metro Areas)
#122	2005 Best Places to Live
#214	Best Green Cities

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Housing Market in Reading

It's a good time to buy in Reading. Home Appreciation is up 12.7% in the last 12 months.
The median home price in Reading is .

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COMPARE COST OF LIVING

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MAPS OF READING, PA

ZIP CODES IN READING, PA

19606, 19601, 19604, 19607, 19608, 19605, 19512, 19602, 19530, 19610, 48 total

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United States / Pennsylvania / Reading Metro Area / Counties / Cities / Zip Codes