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Reading, PA vs West Chester Borough, PA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Reading crime rate · West Chester Borough crime rate

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Is Reading, PA or West Chester Borough, PA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, West Chester Borough, PA is safer than Reading, PA (Safety Score 58/100 vs 47/100), with a total crime rate of 1,465 per 100,000 versus 1,773 for Reading, PA — 17% lower. Reading has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where West Chester Borough has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Reading is 4.9x 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 Reading, PA?

Reading — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

West Chester Borough — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Reading, PA

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

West Chester Borough, PA

Safety Score 58/100
Coverage 20,004
Total Crime Rate 1,464.7
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Reading West Chester Borough Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,772.8 1,464.7 +308.1
Violent Crime Rate 338.2 215.0 +123.3
Murder Rate 7.2 0.0 +7.2
Rape Rate 34.7 20.0 +14.7
Robbery Rate 100.1 40.0 +60.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 195.2 155.0 +40.2
Property Crime Rate 1,434.6 1,249.8 +184.8
Burglary Rate 233.0 140.0 +93.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 973.8 1,054.8 -81.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 227.9 55.0 +172.9

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

Moving from Reading, PA to West Chester Borough, 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 Reading or West Chester Borough safer?

West Chester Borough, PA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,465 per 100K vs 1,773 for Reading, PA — a 17% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Reading has a violent crime rate of 338.2 per 100K while West Chester Borough has 215.0. West Chester Borough has lower violent crime.

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.

About West Chester Borough, PA

West Chester Borough, the seat of Chester County, is a historic borough known for its Victorian architecture and vibrant downtown. Located approximately 25 miles west of Philadelphia, it is home to West Chester University, contributing to a diverse and educated population. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 20,004, West Chester Borough has a total crime rate of 1,464.7 per 100,000 residents.

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