Boston, MA vs Reading, PA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Reading
74.9
#536 nationally
Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $42,852). Reading leads in cost of living index (88 vs 155). Reading leads in average commute (24.3 min vs 30.2 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Reading, PA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 74.9 (#536) |
| Population | 684,379 | 94,903 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $268,328 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $42,852 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 72 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 9.2 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | R+12.2 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
C
74.9 Score
Reading, PA
Pennsylvania community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$268,328
Population
94,903
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
72
Northeast
View Reading, PA →