Harrisburg, PA vs Reading, PA

Harrisburg, PA and Reading, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Harrisburg scores 74 while Reading scores 74 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Harrisburg is $996/month compared to $1,018/month in Reading — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Harrisburg has cheaper rent, Reading actually has lower median home values ($109,800 vs $121,000).

Median household income in Harrisburg is $47,783 compared to $45,599 in Reading (+4.8%). While Harrisburg is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Harrisburg spend roughly 25% of their income on rent, less than the 26.8% in Reading.