Violent
Property
Total
Reading, PA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 97,868
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Reading, Pennsylvania Safe?
Reading has a safety score of 67/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,772.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Reading ranks #146 out of 197 cities in Pennsylvania and #1570 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 47th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 53% of US cities.
Year over year, Reading's total crime rate decreased by 17.5%, with violent crime declining 25.7%.
Reading Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 331 | 338.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 7.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 34 | 34.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 98 | 100.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 191 | 195.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,404 | 1,434.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 228 | 233.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 953 | 973.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 223 | 227.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Reading vs Pennsylvania Average
How does Reading's crime rate compare to the Pennsylvania state average?
| Metric | Reading | Pennsylvania Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 338.2 | 359.1 | -5.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,434.6 | 2,103.7 | -31.8% |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 7.1 | +0.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,772.8 | 2,462.7 | -28.0% |
Reading Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Reading, Pennsylvania.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 97,868 | 1,772.8 | 338.2 | 1,434.6 |
| 2023 | 97,790 | 2,148.5 | 455.1 | 1,693.4 |
| 2022 | 97,698 | 1,837.3 | 436.0 | 1,401.3 |
| 2020 | 88,412 | 2,123.0 | 566.7 | 1,556.4 |
| 2019 | 88,549 | 2,448.4 | 535.3 | 1,913.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reading, Pennsylvania safe?
Reading has a safety score of 67/100. With a total crime rate of 1,772.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Reading is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Reading, Pennsylvania?
According to FBI data for 2024, Reading has a violent crime rate of 338.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,434.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Reading compare to the national average?
Reading's total crime rate of 1,772.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 97,868.
What types of crime are most common in Reading?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Reading include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Reading safe to visit?
Like any city, Reading has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 67/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.