CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Midland is slightly cheaper than Reading — 1.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $81,100 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing15.9%
Midland
101.5
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+7.4%
Midland
93.8
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation+1.5%
Midland
101.1
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.5%
Midland
91.4
Reading
92.8
Utilities+30.0%
Midland
83.2
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$81,100
$1,100 more needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.0136. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Reading, PA

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

Midland has 15.9% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.