Moving to Reading, PA

Quick facts to know before moving to Reading

• Reading lies along the Schuylkill River.
• It was founded in 1748 and grew quickly during the Industrial Revolution.
• The city played a major role in the iron and railroad industries.
• Reading is about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia.
• It has a humid continental climate.
• About 32% of the population speaks Spanish.
• Reading has a high poverty rate compared to state averages.
• Housing costs are low, with many homes priced well below the national median.
• Safety can be uneven depending on the neighborhood.
• The city hosts the annual Berks Jazz Fest.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Reading, Pennsylvania

• Living costs are 6% below Pennsylvania’s state average.
• The violent crime rate is 40.1, exceeding the national average of 22.7.
• BARTA offers affordable bus services across Reading and Berks County.
• Median home price is $190,000.
• The unemployment rate is 4.3%.
• The median household income is $47,452.
• Reading School District operates over 20 schools.
• The city’s population is approximately 95,112, with great diversity.
• The average rent is $1,248, about 23% lower than the national average.
• Public transportation includes fixed-route buses and shared ride services.

Is Reading a good place to live?

Reading is suitable for people who need affordability without isolation. It’s close to major cities but is not that expensive. Day-to-day life is simple—grocery stores are nearby, errands don’t take long, and local businesses cover most needs. If you're relocating to cut expenses and still stay connected, Reading gives you that middle ground without much compromise.

How Safe is Reading?

Safety is a concern in Reading with crime rates higher than national levels. The city’s violent crime rate is 40.1 while property crime is at 41.3, both well above national averages of 22.7 and 35.4. Like many older cities, some neighborhoods are more affected than others. Therefore, local knowledge matters before settling.

What are the Benefits of Living in Reading?

Reading offers convenience for daily life with short commutes and easy access to essentials. Many residents appreciate the potential of saving compared to nearby cities. For people seeking affordability with urban access, Reading meets that balance comfortably.

What's the population of Reading, Pennsylvania?

Reading has a growing and youthful population shaped by strong cultural roots and family-focused households. The city’s large Hispanic community plays a central role in its identity. Here are a few stats to know the population better.

• Reading’s total population is 94,903 residents.
• The population constitutes 48.58% male and 51.42% female.
• The median age of the city’s population is 31.7 years.
• The racial distribution is 30.15% White, 10.01% Black, and 0.97% Asian.
• The Hispanic population constitutes 68.6% of the city’s total population.
• The average household size is 2.79 people in Reading.
• 32.7% of households are married couples in this city.
• In Reading, 33.2% of households are single-parent homes.

Reading has longer commute times than much of the country. The average one-way trip here takes 28.8 minutes, compared to the national average of 26.4 minutes. That’s not extreme—but it’s something to factor in, especially if you’re planning to drive daily. Peak hours can stretch those minutes further.

Most residents rely on personal vehicles to get to work. Public transportation options exist but aren't widely used. If you're working remotely or considering hybrid options, your experience could be much different. Here’s how people in Reading get to work.

• About 70.5% drive their own car
• Roughly 15.2% carpool with others
• Around 5.1% work from home
• Nearly 3.9% use mass transit

What is the weather like in Reading, Pennsylvania?

Reading has a humid continental climate, which means hot summers, cold winters, and a fair amount of precipitation throughout the year. Summers can get sticky, while winters are often cloudy with occasional snowfall.

On average, temperatures range from 30°F in January to about 85°F in July. While you’ll see a mix of weather patterns across seasons, the shifts aren’t too extreme—just enough to make each season feel distinct.

Here are some climate facts about Reading, PA.

• Reading receives about 45.6 inches of rain annually (above the US average of 38 inches).
• It averages 21.5 inches of snowfall per year (US average is 28 inches).
• There are around 202 sunny days per year in Reading (compared to the US average of 205).
• The city experiences precipitation on approximately 119 days each year.
• July is the hottest month, and January is the coldest.