CostIndexUSA

New Haven, CT vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CT
New Haven
104.6
overall index
$1,975/mo rent
More AffordablePA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Reading is moderately cheaper than New Haven — 7.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in New Haven, you would need $74,300 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing31.3%
New Haven
124.3
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
New Haven
97.3
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation4.8%
New Haven
107.8
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare4.8%
New Haven
97.5
Reading
92.8
Utilities25.3%
New Haven
144.8
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$74,300
$5,700 less needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 104.6) = salary × 0.9283. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

New Haven, CT

Median Home Price
$386,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,975
Housing Index
124.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Reading, PA

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

New Haven has 31.3% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

New Haven, CT

Median Household Income
$80,700
Per Capita Income
$46,000
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
130,250
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingFinanceGovernment

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).

New Haven, CT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.