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D-

Is Reading, Pennsylvania Safe?

Population 95,832 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Reading faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,512 per 100K.

Reading Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricReadingPennsylvania AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate368.1314.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2375.61983.01,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate267.0--268.2
Theft Rate1512.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate275.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

274.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

368/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2376/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Reading

Violent crime in Reading is close to the national average. The rate of 368.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2375.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,512 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Reading Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault267
0100% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery84
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary272
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,512
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft275
086% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Reading Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Reading
368.1
State
314.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Reading
2375.6
State
1983.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Safety

Is Reading safe?
Not especially. Reading earns a D- with a crime rate of 274.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Reading?
274.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 368.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2375.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Reading safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Reading's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,512 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Reading?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Reading generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Reading police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Reading?
No. Crime in Reading has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Reading compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
Below average for the state. Reading ranks behind about 87% of Pennsylvania cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Reading to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Reading?
Bad. A D- grade and 274.4 per-thousand rate put Reading below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 368 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Reading?
368.1 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (267), robbery (84), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania

Similar-sized communities in Pennsylvania. Compare crime rates across the state.

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View all Pennsylvania city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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