CostIndexUSA

Racine, WI vs Reading, PA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
PA
Reading
97.1
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Racine is slightly cheaper than Reading — 1.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Racine, you would need $80,900 in Reading. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing7.2%
Racine
92
Reading
85.4
🛒 Groceries+7.4%
Racine
93.8
Reading
100.7
🚗 Transportation1.7%
Racine
104.4
Reading
102.6
🏥 Healthcare1.7%
Racine
94.4
Reading
92.8
Utilities+20.2%
Racine
90
Reading
108.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Reading, PA
$80,900
$900 more needed in Reading

Formula: salary × (97.1 ÷ 96) = salary × 1.0115. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Reading, PA

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

Racine has 7.2% lower housing costs compared to Reading.

Income & Job Market

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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).

Racine, WI
4.7×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.