CostIndexUSA

Omaha, NE vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNE
Omaha
91.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Omaha is moderately cheaper than Reading — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Omaha, you would need $84,500 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing1.2%
Omaha
86.4
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+7.0%
Omaha
94.1
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation+5.1%
Omaha
97.6
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.1%
Omaha
88.3
Reading
92.8
Utilities+41.6%
Omaha
76.4
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$84,500
$4,500 more needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 1.0566. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Omaha, NE

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Reading, PA

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

Omaha has 1.2% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Omaha, NE

Median Household Income
$81,400
Per Capita Income
$46,400
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
486,051
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareTelecommunicationsManufacturing

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).

Omaha, NE
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.