CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Reading is moderately cheaper than Fresno — 5.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $76,000 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing10.8%
Fresno
95.7
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries4.3%
Fresno
105.2
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation2.6%
Fresno
105.3
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.6%
Fresno
95.3
Reading
92.8
Utilities32.8%
Fresno
161
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fresno to see what you'd need to earn in Reading to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$76,000
$4,000 less needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.9501. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Reading, PA

Median Home Price
$299,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
85.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.8×

Fresno has 10.8% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Reading, PA

Median Household Income
$75,700
Per Capita Income
$43,100
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
95,112
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailEducationLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.