Reading, MA vs Taunton, MA

The cost of living difference between Reading, MA and Taunton, MA is dramatic. Taunton is 43.3% cheaper than Reading, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Reading has a cost index of 152 while Taunton sits at 106, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Reading is $1,722/month compared to $1,269/month in Taunton — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Taunton is more affordable at $388,200 median vs $741,100.

Median household income in Reading is $163,725 compared to $79,715 in Taunton (+105.4%). While Reading is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Reading spend roughly 12.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.1% in Taunton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.9°F vs 50.4°F). Taunton receives more rainfall at 47.6" per year compared to 44.9" in Reading.