CostIndexUSA

Myrtle Beach, SC vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableSC
Myrtle Beach
93.6
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Myrtle Beach is slightly cheaper than Reading — 3.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Myrtle Beach, you would need $83,000 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+2.8%
Myrtle Beach
83.1
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+4.6%
Myrtle Beach
96.3
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation0.6%
Myrtle Beach
103.2
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare0.6%
Myrtle Beach
93.4
Reading
92.8
Utilities+23.0%
Myrtle Beach
88
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$83,000
$3,000 more needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 93.6) = salary × 1.0374. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
83.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Reading, PA

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

Reading has 2.8% higher housing costs compared to Myrtle Beach.

Income & Job Market

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Household Income
$69,000
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
34,695
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareRetailReal EstateHospitality

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).

Myrtle Beach, SC
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.