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City Report · MA

Reading

Pop. 25,612·17th most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,162/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
+$1,197
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Reading · $3,162
More expensive than 93% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
23% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,162/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$126,000/yr
Local median income
$165,912/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Reading's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$2,000
1 BR
$2,140
2 BR
$2,550
3 BR
$3,080
4 BR+
$3,390
Research median
$2,550/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$37,944/yr
At $3,162/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.5% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
25,612
Median income
$165,912
Median age
43.7
Renters
17.6%
Age distribution
22.8%
16.1%
26.1%
14.4%
20.7%
Under 1822.8%
18–3416.1%
35–5426.1%
55–6414.4%
65+20.7%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
85.5%
White85.5%
Black0.5%
Hispanic5.6%
Asian6.3%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
14.9%
15%
66.3%
No HS diploma3.8%
HS diploma14.9%
Some college15%
Bachelor's+66.3%
Housing tenure
82.4%
17.6%
Owner82.4%
Renter17.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Reading, MA has changed in 5 years

Income
$145,552 → $165,912
up 14.0%
Population
25,483 → 25,612
up 0.5%
Renter share
14.2% → 17.6%
+3.4 pts
Bachelor's+
65.4% → 66.3%
+0.9 pts
Median age
42.7 → 43.7
+1.0 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Reading

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View Reading rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Reading on your salary?

At $3,162/mo, how Reading rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Reading rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Reading. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Reading

About renting in Reading, MA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Reading is $3,162/mo as of July 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 23% of local median household income ($165,912/yr), Reading ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Reading an affordable city for renters?

Reading is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,162/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($165,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Reading falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Reading?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $126,000/year (~$61/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,162/mo in Reading. The local median household income is $165,912/yr, meaning the typical Reading household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Reading?

Rent in Reading has increased 0.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Reading rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Reading is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #17 out of 107 tracked cities at $3,162/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Reading?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Reading ($3,162/mo): Woburn ($2,780/mo), Wakefield ($2,824/mo), Stoneham ($3,086/mo).

What percentage of Reading residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 17.6% of Reading households are renters, while 82.4% are owner-occupied. Reading leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Reading rent compare to the national average?

Reading's median rent of $3,162/mo is $1,197 (61%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #17 out of 107 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,162/mo, rent takes ~23% of Reading's median household income ($165,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Reading 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5%
Run the Reading affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Reading, MA

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