salaryRent is higher than in 87% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 95% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.9 minutes each way. Most homes (82.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 66.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $102,480 a year. That is $49 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Massachusetts cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Massachusetts. It is number 83 of 123 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Reading?
Share of households by yearly income. 60.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Reading
| Size | Reading | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $2,774 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,602 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Reading overall?
Everyday prices in Massachusetts overall are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Reading, so the Massachusetts figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Reading
Life in Reading
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Reading?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,051 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $809,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $80,900 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Reading, MA?
Renting in Reading costs a median of about $2,562 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Massachusetts median is $2,331.
How much do I need to make to live in Reading?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $102,480 a year, or $49 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Reading cheap or expensive?
Reading is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.2% of the typical household income of $178,936. It ranks 83rd cheapest of 123 Massachusetts cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Reading?
The median homeowner in Reading pays $9,320 a year in property taxes, about 1.15% of the median home value.
Is Reading more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Massachusetts are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Reading?
The median home value in Reading is $809,000, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
25,612 people live in Reading. Numbers are typical (middle) values.