3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 196xxReading, PA area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 196 changed +4.9% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +4.7% for Pennsylvania and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 19601–19611. Most of its 2010 population lived in Berks County (100%). Communities in the region include Wyomissing, Shillington, Whitfield, Pennside, West Reading. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +4.9%
- 5-year change
- +56.8%
- Since Q1 1995
- +230%
- National rank (1 year)
- 275th
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 196 vs Pennsylvania and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 196: 329.7
- Pennsylvania: 355.6
- Reading, PA metro: 327.3
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 196 | PA | U.S. | Gap vs PA | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +4.9% | +4.7% | +3.0% | +0.2 pts | +1.9 pts |
| 3 years | +21.5% | +18.1% | +12.9% | +3.4 pts | +8.6 pts |
| 5 years | +56.8% | +44.2% | +41.3% | +12.6 pts | +15.6 pts |
| 10 years | +112% | +86.9% | +93.3% | +24.8 pts | +18.4 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +230% | +256% | +292% | −25.9 pts | −61.8 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 196 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +227% | $981,894 |
| Q2 2000 | +214% | $941,788 |
| Q2 2005 | +126% | $678,529 |
| Q2 2010 | +108% | $623,643 |
| Q2 2015 | +112% | $637,140 |
| Q2 2020 | +78.1% | $534,248 |
| Q2 2021 | +56.8% | $470,513 |
| Q2 2023 | +21.5% | $364,425 |
| Q2 2025 | +4.9% | $314,668 |
How ZIP3 196 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 196 ranks 275th of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 29th of 46 in Pennsylvania. Its one-year change is +1.9 pts versus the nation and +0.2 pts versus Pennsylvania. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 275th of 882 | 29th of 46 |
| 3 years | 153rd of 882 | 20th of 46 |
| 5 years | 87th of 882 | 6th of 46 |
| 10 years | 166th of 882 | 2nd of 46 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 629th of 879 | 26th of 46 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 196
ZIP3 196's index peaked in Q1 2008, fell 15.4% to its low in Q1 2013, and regained its peak in Q1 2019, about 11 years after the top. Today it sits +89.5% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 196 | Q1 2008 | Q1 2013 | -15.4% | Q1 2019 (11 yrs) | +89.5% |
| PA | Q1 2008 | Q2 2012 | -9.4% | Q2 2017 (9.2 yrs) | +83.0% |
| Metro | Q1 2008 | Q1 2013 | -14.4% | Q2 2019 (11.2 yrs) | +84.0% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 196's index has changed +48.9% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 196 after inflation | PA after inflation | Metro after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | +1.0% | +0.8% | +0.7% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +10.6% | +7.5% | +10.1% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +26.4% | +16.3% | +24.1% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +52.3% | +34.4% | +48.0% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +48.9% | +60.6% | +47.8% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 196
Regional estimate
$635,258
- Estimated gain
- $335,258
- Index change
- +112%
- Start index
- 155.71
- End index
- 329.72
ZIP3 196 (Reading, PA area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Native 3-Digit ZIP index.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195 · Birdsboro, PA area | PA | +4.3% | +51.1% | +226% |
| 175 · Ephrata, PA area | PA | +6.9% | +57.0% | +262% |
| 176 · Lancaster, PA area | PA | +5.1% | +50.8% | +262% |
| 181 · Allentown, PA area | PA | +8.1% | +61.2% | +274% |
| 179 · Pottsville, PA area | PA | +5.7% | +50.5% | +248% |
| 194 · Norristown, PA area | PA | +5.3% | +47.5% | +265% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 329.72 |
| Q1 2026 | 328.49 |
| Q4 2025 | 326.24 |
| Q3 2025 | 309.66 |
| Q2 2025 | 314.35 |
| Q1 2025 | 305.19 |
| Q4 2024 | 297.96 |
| Q3 2024 | 297.65 |
| Q2 2024 | 297.89 |
| Q1 2024 | 296.90 |
| Q4 2023 | 284.00 |
| Q3 2023 | 281.05 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 196?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 196, the regional index changed +4.9% over the year to Q2 2026, +56.8% over five years, +112% over ten years, and +230% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 196 appreciating faster than Pennsylvania and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +4.9% compares with +4.7% for Pennsylvania and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of +1.9 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is +15.6 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 196?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 196. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 19601 to 19611 (10 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.