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City Report · MA

Reading

Pop. 25,612·22nd most expensive in Massachusetts·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,074/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.7%
Month-over-Month
-2.8%
vs US Median
+$1,112
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Reading · $3,074
More expensive than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
22% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,074/mo, rent takes about 22% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$123,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,550/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,074 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 →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$36,888/yr
At $3,074/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.7% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.7% YoY, -2.8% 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 $3,074/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Reading is $3,074/mo as of August 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 22% of local median household income ($165,912/yr), Reading ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Reading an affordable city for renters?

Reading is considered very affordable for renters. At $3,074/mo, rent takes approximately 22% 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 $123,000/year (~$59/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,074/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 decreased 1.7% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Reading rent compare to other cities in Massachusetts?

Reading is one of the pricier cities in Massachusetts for rent, ranking #22 out of 112 tracked cities at $3,074/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Reading?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Reading ($3,074/mo): Wakefield ($2,838/mo), Woburn ($2,870/mo), Stoneham ($3,023/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 $3,074/mo is $1,112 (57%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Massachusetts, it ranks #22 out of 112 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $3,074/mo, rent takes ~22% of Reading's median household income ($165,912/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Reading 22%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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