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City Report · PA

Reading

Pop. 95,242·107th most expensive in Pennsylvania·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,395/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.4%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
-$570
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Reading · $1,395
More affordable than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
67/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Reading's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,395/mo
Expected by trend
$1,526/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Reading's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$940
1 BR
$1,088
2 BR
$1,372
3 BR
$1,716
4 BR+
$1,824
Research median
$1,372/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
$16,740/yr
At $1,395/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 (+1.4% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Reading, PA is majority renter-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
95,242
Median income
$44,091
Median age
31.9
Renters
59.4%
Age distribution
28.4%
25.8%
24.3%
Under 1828.4%
18–3425.8%
35–5424.3%
55–6410.8%
65+10.7%
Gender
48.1%
51.9%
Male48.1%
Female51.9%
Race & ethnicity
24.2%
70.8%
White24.2%
Black9.3%
Hispanic70.8%
Asian0.8%
Education (25+)
28%
38.1%
22.5%
No HS diploma28%
HS diploma38.1%
Some college22.5%
Bachelor's+11.4%
Housing tenure
40.6%
59.4%
Owner40.6%
Renter59.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Reading, PA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$947 → $1,395
up 47.3%
Income
$38,738 → $44,091
up 13.8%
Population
94,161 → 95,242
up 1.1%
Renter share
60.1% → 59.4%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
10.8% → 11.4%
+0.6 pts
Median age
30.8 → 31.9
+1.1 yrs

The median rent in Reading, PA stood at $947 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,395, reflecting a 47.3% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $38,738 in 2021 to $44,091 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.1% since 2021, moving from about 94,161 residents to roughly 95,242. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Reading, PA market of 2021.

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 $1,395/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, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Reading is $1,395/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $940/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,372/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,088/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,716/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($44,091/yr), Reading ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Reading an affordable city for renters?

Reading is considered moderate for renters. At $1,395/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($44,091/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Reading slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

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 $56,000/year (~$27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,395/mo in Reading. The local median household income is $44,091/yr, meaning the typical Reading household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Reading?

Rent in Reading has increased 1.4% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Reading neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Reading are 19602 ($1,148/mo), 19601 ($1,233/mo), and 19606 ($1,574/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Reading is $1,395/mo.

How does Reading rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

Reading is middle-of-the-pack for Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #107 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,395/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Reading?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Reading ($1,395/mo): Ephrata ($1,340/mo), Boyertown ($1,365/mo).

What percentage of Reading residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 59.4% of Reading households are renters, while 40.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Reading has a strong rental market.

How does Reading rent compare to the national average?

Reading's median rent of $1,395/mo is $570 (29%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #107 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $1,395/mo, rent takes ~38% of Reading's median household income ($44,091/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Reading 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the Reading affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Reading, PA

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