Living in Reading, Pennsylvania
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Reading · Census data 2020–2024
Reading has 95,242 residents with a median age of 31.9. The median household income is $44,091 (43% lower than the Pennsylvania median), the median home value is $121,300, the median rent is $1,067/month.
Reading at a glance
- Population
- 95,242
- Median age
- 31.9State: 40.9
- Median household income
- $44,091State: $77,971
- Median home value
- $121,300State: $254,500
- Median rent
- $1,067/moState: $1,209
- Homeowners
- 40.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.4%
- Average commute
- 24 min
Is Reading a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 13.7%; a poverty rate of 28.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Reading
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Reading the median home value is $121,300, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,067 per month, which is 34.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,218 a month in housing costs.
Reading median household income
The median household income in Reading is $44,091 and the income per person is $21,406. 28.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Pennsylvania: 11.7%).
Housing in Reading: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 36,032
- Owner-occupied
- 40.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 59.4%
- Vacant
- 8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.78
Reading demographics
- Population
- 95,242
- Median age
- 31.9
- Under 18
- 28.4%
- 65 and older
- 10.7%
- Households
- 33,164
- Foreign-born
- 25.4%
- Veterans
- 3.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Reading ›
Education in Reading
11.4% of adults 25 and older in Reading have a bachelor's degree or higher (Pennsylvania: 35.2%), and 3.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Reading
- Unemployment rate
- 13.7%State: 5.3%
- Average commute
- 24 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6.4%
- Drive alone
- 61.6%
- Public transit
- 3.4%
- Walk to work
- 4.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.5%
Reading vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 95,242 | $44,091 | $121,300 | $1,067 |
| West Reading | 4,562 | $65,885 | $173,100 | $1,365 |
| Mount Penn | 3,244 | $63,512 | $176,300 | $953 |
| Wyomissing | 11,172 | $93,203 | $339,900 | $1,781 |
| Lower Alsace | 4,843 | $76,250 | $213,800 | $1,289 |
| Greenfields | 986 | $78,830 | $268,500 | $2,015 |
| Kenhorst | 3,009 | $86,705 | $195,900 | $1,419 |
| Hyde Park | 2,846 | $78,929 | $173,700 | $1,144 |
| Pennside | 5,407 | $77,192 | $207,600 | $1,203 |
More for people moving to Reading
Reading ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Reading: FAQ
What is the median household income in Reading, PA?
The median household income in Reading is $44,091, 43% lower than the Pennsylvania median of $77,971 (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 $121,300, compared with $254,500 in Pennsylvania.
How much is rent in Reading?
The median gross rent in Reading is $1,067 per month, about 34.8% of household income.
Is Reading, PA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 24 minutes. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the Pennsylvania median; unemployment of 13.7%; a poverty rate of 28.7%.
What is the median age in Reading?
The median age in Reading is 31.9 years (Pennsylvania: 40.9).
How long is the commute in Reading?
The average commute to work in Reading is 24 minutes; 6.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Reading?
The unemployment rate in Reading is 13.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Reading?
11.4% 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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