CostIndexUSA

Reading, PA vs Scottsdale, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordablePA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
AZ
Scottsdale
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Reading is moderately cheaper than Scottsdale — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Reading, you would need $85,100 in Scottsdale. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+41.9%
Reading
85.4
Scottsdale
121.2
🛒 Groceries5.7%
Reading
100.7
Scottsdale
95
🚗 Transportation+6.4%
Reading
102.6
Scottsdale
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+6.5%
Reading
92.8
Scottsdale
98.8
Utilities13.8%
Reading
108.2
Scottsdale
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Scottsdale, AZ
$85,100
$5,100 more needed in Scottsdale

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 97.1) = salary × 1.0639. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Reading, PA

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

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Scottsdale has 41.9% higher housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Reading, PA

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

Scottsdale, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
258,069
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismTechnologyFinanceReal Estate

Affordability at a Glance

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

Reading, PA
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Scottsdale, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.