Atlantic City, NJ vs Reading, PA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Reading, PA is 1.8% less expensive than Atlantic City, NJ (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Atlantic City works out to about $73,600 in Reading, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 13.4% less in Reading. Goods are 0.9% higher and other services 0.2% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,551 a month in Reading and $2,049 in Atlantic City, $5,976 a year less in Reading (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $311,000 in Reading and $383,000 in Atlantic City.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Reading was 0.1% less expensive than Atlantic City.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 13.4% lower in Reading than in Atlantic City
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
All items Atlantic City, NJ: 98.9 Reading, PA: 97.1
Goods Atlantic City, NJ: 99.8 Reading, PA: 100.7
Housing (rents) Atlantic City, NJ: 98.7 Reading, PA: 85.4
Utilities Atlantic City, NJ: 109.2 Reading, PA: 108.2
Other services Atlantic City, NJ: 97.9 Reading, PA: 97.7
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.9 | 97.1 |
| Goods | 99.8 | 100.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 98.7 | 85.4 |
| Utilities | 109.2 | 108.2 |
| Other services | 97.9 | 97.7 |
| Category | Atlantic City | Reading | Reading vs Atlantic City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.9 | 97.1 | −1.8% |
| Goods | 99.8 | 100.7 | +0.9% |
| Housing (rents) | 98.7 | 85.4 | −13.4% |
| Utilities | 109.2 | 108.2 | −0.9% |
| Other services | 97.9 | 97.7 | −0.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,049 | $1,551 | −24.3% |
| Typical home value | $383,000 | $311,000 | −18.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Atlantic City | $75,000 | $73,600 | −1.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Atlantic City and Reading has narrowed since 2008: 11.7 points then, 1.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 110.7 | 99.0 |
| 2009 | 106.9 | 99.3 |
| 2010 | 108.8 | 98.1 |
| 2011 | 106.2 | 97.6 |
| 2012 | 104.6 | 97.8 |
| 2013 | 102.0 | 99.9 |
| 2014 | 102.7 | 97.3 |
| 2015 | 103.2 | 98.1 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 98.7 |
| 2017 | 100.9 | 99.0 |
| 2018 | 100.8 | 98.4 |
| 2019 | 97.4 | 97.4 |
| 2020 | 101.2 | 96.0 |
| 2021 | 96.0 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 100.2 | 96.3 |
| 2023 | 98.9 | 96.5 |
| 2024 | 98.9 | 97.1 |
Goods
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.9 | 101.0 |
| 2009 | 108.1 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 105.2 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 107.0 | 97.8 |
| 2012 | 103.2 | 97.6 |
| 2013 | 98.6 | 97.8 |
| 2014 | 97.4 | 97.9 |
| 2015 | 100.2 | 99.3 |
| 2016 | 102.7 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 99.0 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2019 | 97.2 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 99.1 | 98.8 |
| 2021 | 95.5 | 95.7 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 97.6 |
| 2023 | 97.8 | 98.3 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 100.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 133.0 | 85.6 |
| 2009 | 109.7 | 87.1 |
| 2010 | 122.7 | 90.0 |
| 2011 | 114.7 | 90.1 |
| 2012 | 112.7 | 93.3 |
| 2013 | 109.0 | 98.3 |
| 2014 | 113.2 | 93.2 |
| 2015 | 115.7 | 87.4 |
| 2016 | 107.6 | 89.9 |
| 2017 | 96.5 | 84.4 |
| 2018 | 106.2 | 92.8 |
| 2019 | 93.2 | 89.5 |
| 2020 | 106.8 | 79.1 |
| 2021 | 87.1 | 83.1 |
| 2022 | 112.3 | 90.2 |
| 2023 | 99.4 | 82.7 |
| 2024 | 98.7 | 85.4 |
Utilities
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 119.0 | 111.9 |
| 2009 | 127.1 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 128.6 | 109.9 |
| 2011 | 128.0 | 112.3 |
| 2012 | 126.8 | 106.1 |
| 2013 | 126.1 | 105.5 |
| 2014 | 106.9 | 104.4 |
| 2015 | 101.5 | 103.9 |
| 2016 | 103.2 | 107.2 |
| 2017 | 103.7 | 111.7 |
| 2018 | 110.7 | 114.7 |
| 2019 | 114.8 | 115.7 |
| 2020 | 114.5 | 112.9 |
| 2021 | 110.3 | 110.7 |
| 2022 | 105.0 | 110.8 |
| 2023 | 108.2 | 118.6 |
| 2024 | 109.2 | 108.2 |
Other services
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.0 | 101.1 |
| 2009 | 103.6 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 103.4 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 100.4 | 98.8 |
| 2012 | 100.3 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 101.4 |
| 2014 | 101.1 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 99.7 | 100.4 |
| 2016 | 100.3 | 101.0 |
| 2017 | 104.1 | 102.5 |
| 2018 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 98.8 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 99.8 | 100.0 |
| 2022 | 97.0 | 96.6 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 98.6 |
| 2024 | 97.9 | 97.7 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,551 in Reading vs $2,049 in Atlantic City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,011 | $808 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,019 | $843 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,004 | $859 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,001 | $836 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,057 | $852 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,042 | $870 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,007 | $872 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,010 | $869 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,051 | $883 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,056 | $885 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,038 | $901 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,065 | $892 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,098 | $916 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,099 | $933 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,091 | $936 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,100 | $927 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,139 | $945 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,127 | $965 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,115 | $969 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,141 | $970 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,176 | $969 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,163 | $1,011 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,230 | $1,037 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,223 | $1,054 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,288 | $1,086 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,396 | $1,145 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,442 | $1,190 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,487 | $1,185 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,575 | $1,216 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,659 | $1,253 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,647 | $1,304 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,658 | $1,291 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,684 | $1,344 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,753 | $1,384 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,735 | $1,381 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,808 | $1,389 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,823 | $1,408 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,849 | $1,454 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,832 | $1,457 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,853 | $1,480 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,922 | $1,491 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,956 | $1,490 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,923 | $1,508 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,944 | $1,510 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,052 | $1,523 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,024 | $1,546 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,049 | $1,551 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $311,000 in Reading vs $383,000 in Atlantic City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Reading, PA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Atlantic City, NJ | Reading, PA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $190K | $155K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $189K | $155K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $188K | $157K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $187K | $158K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $185K | $159K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $182K | $160K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $178K | $161K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $174K | $163K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $174K | $164K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $175K | $166K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $178K | $168K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $181K | $171K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $181K | $174K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $183K | $176K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $188K | $176K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $192K | $177K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $197K | $180K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $200K | $182K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $202K | $185K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $206K | $187K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $211K | $191K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $214K | $196K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $218K | $199K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $231K | $208K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $243K | $217K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $256K | $226K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $268K | $227K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $277K | $228K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $288K | $242K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $300K | $254K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $301K | $256K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $303K | $259K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $311K | $259K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $319K | $265K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $328K | $272K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $334K | $276K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $341K | $280K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $350K | $284K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $355K | $287K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $360K | $293K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $364K | $297K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $367K | $297K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $368K | $300K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $372K | $302K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $378K | $303K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $381K | $306K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $383K | $311K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.