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City Report · PA

West Reading

Pop. 4,562·44th most expensive in Pennsylvania·Rental market data updated monthly for West Reading, PA
Median rent (all units)
$1,956/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+3.0%
vs US Median
-$9
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
West Reading · $1,956
More expensive than 57% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
36% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,956/mo, rent takes about 36% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$65,885/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using West Reading's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

1 BR
$996
2 BR
$1,390
3 BR
$1,654
Research median
$1,390/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
$23,472/yr
At $1,956/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +3.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
4,562
Median income
$65,885
Median age
35.4
Renters
43.9%
Age distribution
21.3%
27.7%
24.8%
14.3%
Under 1821.3%
18–3427.7%
35–5424.8%
55–6414.3%
65+12%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
63.5%
33.6%
White63.5%
Black2.3%
Hispanic33.6%
Asian6.2%
Education (25+)
33.5%
24.6%
32%
No HS diploma9.9%
HS diploma33.5%
Some college24.6%
Bachelor's+32%
Housing tenure
56.1%
43.9%
Owner56.1%
Renter43.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How West Reading, PA has changed in 5 years

Income
$50,978 → $65,885
up 29.2%
Population
4,496 → 4,562
up 1.5%
Renter share
51.7% → 43.9%
-7.8 pts
Bachelor's+
34.4% → 32%
-2.4 pts
Median age
37.6 → 35.4
-2.2 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about West Reading

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

Can you afford rent in West Reading on your salary?

At $1,956/mo, how West Reading rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

West Reading rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in West Reading

About renting in West Reading, PA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in West Reading is $1,956/mo as of July 2026. a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $996/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,654/mo.

At 36% 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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is West Reading an affordable city for renters?

West Reading is considered moderate for renters. At $1,956/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($65,885/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. West Reading slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in West Reading?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,956/mo in West Reading. The local median household income is $65,885/yr, meaning the typical West Reading household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in West Reading?

Rent in West Reading has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does West Reading rent compare to other cities in Pennsylvania?

West Reading is one of the pricier cities in Pennsylvania for rent, ranking #44 out of 167 tracked cities at $1,956/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than West Reading?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than West Reading ($1,956/mo): Ephrata ($1,340/mo), Boyertown ($1,365/mo), Reading ($1,395/mo).

What percentage of West Reading residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.9% of West Reading households are renters, while 56.1% are owner-occupied. West Reading leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does West Reading rent compare to the national average?

West Reading's median rent of $1,956/mo is $9 (0%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #44 out of 167 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
36%
MODERATE

At $1,956/mo, rent takes ~36% of West Reading's median household income ($65,885/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

West Reading 36%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.07%
Run the West Reading affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near West Reading, PA

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