City Comparison

Cheyenne vs Reading

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cheyenne

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$57,834
Median Income

Reading

Pennsylvania
89
Below Average
$155,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$45,600
Median Income

The Verdict

6.7%

Living in Reading costs 6.7% less than Cheyenne. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cheyenne, you would need $70,263 in Reading.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
85
Cheyenne
62
Reading
Groceries
98
Cheyenne
96
Reading
Utilities
90
Cheyenne
105
Reading
Transportation
98
Cheyenne
108
Reading
Healthcare
100
Cheyenne
89
Reading

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has the same purchasing power as $70,263 in Reading.

Conversely, $75,000 in Reading equals $80,056 in Cheyenne.

Living in Cheyenne vs Reading

Housing Costs

Cheyenne's housing index of 85 is higher Reading's 62, translating to median home prices of $280,000 vs $155,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Cheyenne compared to $1,050/mo in Reading, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Cheyenne and 96 in Reading. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Cheyenne vs $456/month in Reading. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Cheyenne and 105 in Reading. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Cheyenne vs $420 in Reading. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Cheyenne and 89 in Reading. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,834 in Cheyenne and $45,600 in Reading. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,878 and $51,236 respectively. Cheyenne residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,349/month to housing in Cheyenne vs $1,064/month in Reading. In Cheyenne, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Reading, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading is 6.7% more affordable overall with an index of 89 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Cheyenne has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,263 in Reading, based on the cost of living difference.
Cheyenne's housing index is 85 with median homes at $280,000, while Reading's is 62 with median homes at $155,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases