Living in Reading, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Reading · Census data 2020–2024
Reading has 947 residents with a median age of 43.8. The median household income is $49,342 (32% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $107,800, the median rent is $835/month.
Reading is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Reading at a glance
- Population
- 947
- Median age
- 43.8State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $49,342State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $107,800State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $835/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 58.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Reading a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 53% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 32% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 24.6%.
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 $107,800, 68% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $835 per month, which is 26.9% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,105 a month in housing costs.
Reading median household income
The median household income in Reading is $49,342 and the income per person is $25,448. 24.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Reading: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 398
- Owner-occupied
- 58.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.7%
- Vacant
- 6.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.52
Reading demographics
- Population
- 947
- Median age
- 43.8
- Under 18
- 19.9%
- 65 and older
- 15.6%
- Households
- 372
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 9.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Reading ›
Education in Reading
12% of adults 25 and older in Reading have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 4.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Reading
- Unemployment rate
- 6.1%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 2.7%
- Drive alone
- 81.9%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.6%
Reading vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 947 | $49,342 | $107,800 | $835 |
| Cambria | 128 | $53,125 | $106,300 | — |
| Montgomery | 301 | $51,250 | $95,000 | $1,167 |
| Camden | 608 | $51,250 | $103,100 | $915 |
| Allen | 170 | $66,111 | $131,300 | $581 |
| Clear Lake | 462 | $92,292 | $757,400 | $1,167 |
| Hillsdale | 8,002 | $51,038 | $130,900 | $812 |
| Quincy | 1,484 | $59,844 | $121,800 | $874 |
| Jonesville | 2,319 | $65,200 | $162,900 | $811 |
More for people moving to Reading
Reading ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Reading: FAQ
What is the median household income in Reading, MI?
The median household income in Reading is $49,342, 32% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (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 $107,800, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Reading?
The median gross rent in Reading is $835 per month, about 26.9% of household income.
Is Reading, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 53% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes. Minuses: median household income 32% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.1%; a poverty rate of 24.6%.
What is the median age in Reading?
The median age in Reading is 43.8 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Reading?
The average commute to work in Reading is 21 minutes; 2.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Reading?
The unemployment rate in Reading is 6.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Reading?
12% 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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