Living in Reading, Massachusetts
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Reading · Census data 2020–2024
Reading has 25,612 residents with a median age of 43.7. The median household income is $165,912 (60% higher than the Massachusetts median), the median home value is $809,000, the median rent is $1,991/month.
Reading at a glance
- Population
- 25,612
- Median age
- 43.7State: 40
- Median household income
- $165,912State: $103,960
- Median home value
- $809,000State: $562,100
- Median rent
- $1,991/moState: $1,762
- Homeowners
- 82.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 66.3%
- Average commute
- 31 min
Is Reading a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 60% higher than the Massachusetts median; unemployment of 3.3%; a poverty rate of 3.2%.
Cons: Home values 44% higher than the state median; an average commute of 31 minutes.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Reading
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Reading the median home value is $809,000, 143% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,991 per month, which is 24.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $3,408 a month in housing costs.
Reading median household income
The median household income in Reading is $165,912 and the income per person is $74,991. 3.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Massachusetts: 10%).
Housing in Reading: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,951
- Owner-occupied
- 82.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 17.6%
- Vacant
- 2.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.60
Reading demographics
- Population
- 25,612
- Median age
- 43.7
- Under 18
- 22.8%
- 65 and older
- 20.7%
- Households
- 9,740
- Foreign-born
- 9.5%
- Veterans
- 4.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Reading ›
Education in Reading
66.3% of adults 25 and older in Reading have a bachelor's degree or higher (Massachusetts: 47.3%), and 32.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Reading
- Unemployment rate
- 3.3%State: 5.2%
- Average commute
- 31 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 30.2%
- Drive alone
- 56.9%
- Public transit
- 4.5%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.3%
Reading vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 25,612 | $165,912 | $809,000 | $1,991 |
| Wakefield | 27,793 | $134,306 | $723,500 | $1,958 |
| North Reading | 15,765 | $147,768 | $710,500 | $2,259 |
| Lynnfield | 13,064 | $175,265 | $917,600 | $2,676 |
| Wilmington | 23,336 | $168,152 | $680,500 | $2,394 |
| Woburn | 41,939 | $111,185 | $673,500 | $2,221 |
| Stoneham | 23,355 | $113,964 | $671,900 | $2,035 |
| Burlington | 26,274 | $146,436 | $740,600 | $2,718 |
| Melrose | 29,650 | $133,953 | $822,900 | $1,970 |
More for people moving to Reading
Reading ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Reading: FAQ
What is the median household income in Reading, MA?
The median household income in Reading is $165,912, 60% higher than the Massachusetts median of $103,960 (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 $809,000, compared with $562,100 in Massachusetts.
How much is rent in Reading?
The median gross rent in Reading is $1,991 per month, about 24.7% of household income.
Is Reading, MA a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 60% higher than the Massachusetts median; unemployment of 3.3%; a poverty rate of 3.2%. Minuses: home values 44% higher than the state median; an average commute of 31 minutes.
What is the median age in Reading?
The median age in Reading is 43.7 years (Massachusetts: 40).
How long is the commute in Reading?
The average commute to work in Reading is 31 minutes; 30.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Reading?
The unemployment rate in Reading is 3.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Reading?
66.3% 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.
Last updated: