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Pittsburgh, PA vs Reading, PA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Pittsburgh crime rate · Reading crime rate

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Is Pittsburgh, PA or Reading, PA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Reading, PA is safer than Pittsburgh, PA (Safety Score 47/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 2,709 for Pittsburgh, PA — 35% lower. Pittsburgh has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in property crime, where Reading has a 37% lower rate.

Note: Pittsburgh is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Pittsburgh, PA?

Pittsburgh — 4-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Reading — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, PA
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 317,177
Total Crime Rate 2,708.6
Category Wins 1/7

Reading, PA

Reading, PA
Safety Score 47/100
Coverage 97,868
Total Crime Rate 1,772.8
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Pittsburgh Reading Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,708.6 1,772.8 +935.8
Violent Crime Rate 428.5 338.2 +90.3
Murder Rate 11.4 7.2 +4.2
Rape Rate 51.7 34.7 +17.0
Robbery Rate 124.2 100.1 +24.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 239.9 195.2 +44.8
Property Crime Rate 2,280.1 1,434.6 +845.5
Burglary Rate 232.7 233.0 -0.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,704.4 973.8 +730.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 343.0 227.9 +115.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Reading, PA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pittsburgh or Reading safer?

Reading, PA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 2,709 for Pittsburgh, PA — a 35% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Pittsburgh has a violent crime rate of 428.5 per 100K while Reading has 338.2. Reading has lower violent crime.

About Pittsburgh, PA

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains where three rivers meet, Pittsburgh is a city of bridges and former steel mills. Its rich industrial past shaped its distinct neighborhoods and resilient, diverse population. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 317,177, Pittsburgh has a total crime rate of 2,708.6 per 100,000 residents.

About Reading, PA

Reading, a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, is known for its historic Pagoda overlooking the city. Once a major railroad hub, it now has a diverse population with a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 97,868, Reading has a total crime rate of 1,772.8 per 100,000 residents.

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