Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reading, PA
VS
South Fulton, GA
🏆 South Fulton leads 13 of 23 categories
Reading
Pennsylvania
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,852
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
94,601
South Fulton
Georgia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,488 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
107,865 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reading, PA
Pros
Homes cost $145k less ($96,900 vs $242,200)
Rent averages $519/mo less ($942 vs $1,461)
28% less violent crime than South Fulton
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than South Fulton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.5)
Cons
Median income trails South Fulton by $34,636/yr
Higher unemployment (11.3% vs 7.8%)
South Fulton, GA
Pros
Households earn $34,636 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (7.8%)
More college-educated — 39.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 54°F vs 39°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,461/mo
Violent crime (470.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Reading
Longer commutes — 32.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Reading
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.5 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Reading
Violent Crime
28% lower
337.2 vs 470.5 per 100k
Reading
Median Home Value
$145k less
$96,900 vs $242,200
South Fulton
Median Income
$34,636
$77,488 vs $42,852/yr
South Fulton
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
7.8% vs 11.3% unemployment
South Fulton
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 86.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reading, PA | South Fulton, GA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.5 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $96,900 ✓ Lower | $242,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,461⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $42,852 | $77,488 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.3%⚠ High | 7.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.3 min ✓ Shorter | 32.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 4.2% | 12.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 81 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 89 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 91 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | C+ (86) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 11.7% | 39.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 71.6% | 93.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Reading SD | State Specialty Schools I- Georgia Cyber Academy |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.6°F | 54.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.3" ✓ Drier | 54.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 27.2" | 2.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,601 | 107,865 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 31.1 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 69.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 28.5% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 11.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reading's cost of living index is 92.5 vs South Fulton's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Reading is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, South Fulton leads 13 of 23 categories. Reading wins 10 and South Fulton wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Reading to South Fulton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($96,900 vs $242,200 median home), income ($42,852 vs $77,488), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reading, PA and South Fulton, GA are about 665 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.