Living in Reading, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Reading · Census data 2020–2024
Reading has 198 residents with a median age of 37.5. The median household income is $68,125 (8% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $51,700, the median rent is $725/month.
Reading is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Reading at a glance
- Population
- 198
- Median age
- 37.5State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $68,125State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $51,700State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $725/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 83.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.7%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Reading a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 76% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 5.6%.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the Kansas median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Reading
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Reading the median home value is $51,700, 84% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $725 per month, which is 21.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,025 a month in housing costs.
Reading median household income
The median household income in Reading is $68,125 and the income per person is $31,615. 5.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Reading: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 85
- Owner-occupied
- 83.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 16.7%
- Vacant
- 1.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1968
- Average household size
- 2.36
Reading demographics
- Population
- 198
- Median age
- 37.5
- Under 18
- 24.2%
- 65 and older
- 19.2%
- Households
- 84
- Foreign-born
- 0.5%
- Veterans
- 17.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Reading ›
Education in Reading
16.7% of adults 25 and older in Reading have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 8.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Reading
- Unemployment rate
- 4.1%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 1.1%
- Drive alone
- 90.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 76.2%
Reading vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 198 | $68,125 | $51,700 | $725 |
| Lebo | 760 | $63,828 | $123,300 | $915 |
| Neosho Rapids | 276 | $75,625 | $79,200 | — |
| Osage City | 2,828 | $71,191 | $155,800 | $789 |
| Olivet | 180 | $93,594 | $157,700 | — |
| Admire | 144 | $56,094 | — | — |
| Hartford | 428 | $55,250 | $69,500 | $700 |
| Allen | 287 | $59,016 | $59,600 | $478 |
| Emporia | 24,131 | $52,704 | $132,700 | $815 |
More for people moving to Reading
Reading ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Reading: FAQ
What is the median household income in Reading, KS?
The median household income in Reading is $68,125, 8% lower than the Kansas median of $74,275 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Reading?
The median home value in Reading is $51,700, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Reading?
The median gross rent in Reading is $725 per month, about 21.3% of household income.
Is Reading, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 76% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 5.6%. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the Kansas median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 4.1%.
What is the median age in Reading?
The median age in Reading is 37.5 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Reading?
The average commute to work in Reading is 28 minutes; 1.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Reading?
The unemployment rate in Reading is 4.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Reading?
16.7% of adults in Reading have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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