At $1,663/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above 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 $1,663 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
30% of the median household income ($65,885) is $1,647 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,390); a 3-bedroom is $1,654.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for West Reading. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
West Reading, PA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 32% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How West Reading, PA has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $50,978 in 2021 to $65,885 more recently. Census counts show West Reading, PA adding about 66 residents over the five-year window, up 1.5% on net. The renter share has eased from 51.7% to 43.9%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 34.4% to 32% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in West Reading on your salary?
At $1,663/mo, how West Reading rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
West Reading rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in West Reading. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in West Reading
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in West Reading is $1,663/mo as of October 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $996/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,654/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($65,885/yr), West Reading ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does West Reading rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?
At $1,663/mo, rent takes ~30% of West Reading's median household income ($65,885/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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