1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Reading, PA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Reading, Pennsylvania as of July 2026. That's +22% lower than the citywide median of $1,395 and +22% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Reading
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Reading
Compare Reading's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Pennsylvania
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homestead | $658 |
| 2 | New Castle | $690 |
| 3 | Sharon | $720 |
| 4 | Johnstown | $730 |
| 5 | Grove City | $740 |
| 6 | Pottsville | $750 |
| 7 | Meadville | $770 |
| 8 | DuBois | $790 |
| 9 | Vandergrift | $790 |
| 10 | Indiana | $800 |
| 11 | Lewisburg | $820 |
| 12 | Lock Haven | $820 |
| 13 | Etna | $825 |
| 14 | Erie | $828 |
| 15 | Beaver | $830 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Pennsylvania
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Mills | $2,270 |
| 2 | Wynnewood | $2,220 |
| 3 | Newtown | $2,220 |
| 4 | Blue Bell | $2,220 |
| 5 | Wayne | $2,130 |
| 6 | Exton | $2,110 |
| 7 | Chadds Ford | $2,110 |
| 8 | Malvern | $2,080 |
| 9 | Bryn Mawr | $2,070 |
| 10 | King of Prussia | $2,030 |
| 11 | Conshohocken | $2,010 |
| 12 | Devon | $2,000 |
| 13 | Plymouth Meeting | $1,980 |
| 14 | Bala-Cynwyd | $1,910 |
| 15 | Wyncote | $1,900 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Reading.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyomissing, PA | 3.1 mi | $1,490 | +$402 (+37%) |
| Breinigsville, PA | 24.5 mi | $1,680 | +$592 (+54%) |
| Spring City, PA | 25.4 mi | $1,070 | $-18 (-2%) |
| Lititz, PA | 27.3 mi | $1,120 | +$32 (+3%) |
| Exton, PA | 28.6 mi | $2,110 | +$1,022 (+94%) |
| Lancaster, PA | 32.5 mi | $1,173 | +$85 (+8%) |
| Emmaus, PA | 32.9 mi | $1,220 | +$132 (+12%) |
| Malvern, PA | 33.9 mi | $2,080 | +$992 (+91%) |
| Pottsville, PA | 33.9 mi | $750 | $-338 (-31%) |
| Collegeville, PA | 35.5 mi | $1,880 | +$792 (+73%) |
| Allentown, PA | 36 mi | $1,220 | +$132 (+12%) |
| Whitehall, PA | 36.9 mi | $1,290 | +$202 (+19%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Reading — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Reading?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Reading, Pennsylvania is $1,088 per month. This is +22% below the citywide median of $1,395.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Reading?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $43,520 ($3,627/month gross), which works out to roughly $20.92/hour at a full-time job.
Is Reading expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Reading's 1-bedroom median of $1,088 is +22% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 28th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Reading rank for 1-bedroom rent in Pennsylvania?
Among the 165 cities in Pennsylvania with 1-bedroom data, Reading ranks #69 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Reading?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Spring City ($1,070), Pottsville ($750).