At $2,888/mo, rent takes about 21% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,888 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Reading changed +0.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 89 Massachusetts cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +2.8%.
Rent has fallen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($165,912) is $4,148 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($3,390).
Lynn, 9 miles away, rents for 19% less ($2,342/mo), about $6,600 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Reading. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Reading, MA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 66.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Reading, MA has changed in 5 years
Household income in the area moved from $145,552 to $165,912 across the same window, up 14.0% versus 2021. Renters now make up 17.6% of households, compared with 14.2% five years ago.
Discussions about Reading
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Reading on your salary?
At $2,888/mo, how Reading rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Reading rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Reading. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Reading
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Reading is $2,888/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,000/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,550/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,140/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,080/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($165,912/yr), Reading ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Reading?
Is rent going up or down in Reading?
How does Reading rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
At $2,888/mo, rent takes ~21% of Reading's median household income ($165,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Reading.
No discussions yet.