Median Age
33 Years
Largest Age Group
15-24 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
30%
Over 65
13%
Reading
Reading, PA Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,236
Population
94,124
Renter Mix
62% Rent
Historic charm abounds on the Schuylkill River
Affordable
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Historic
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Quaint
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Scenic
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Diverse
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Active
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Riverside
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Welcome to Reading, Pennsylvania, a historic city in the scenic Schuylkill River Valley. From downtown apartments to residential communities, Reading offers diverse housing options for renters. One-bedroom units average $1,219, while two-bedroom homes average $1,479. The city's landmarks include the distinctive Pagoda atop Mount Penn, which provides sweeping views of the area, and the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, housed in a restored factory building.
Reading's heritage as the "Pretzel Capital of the World" remains strong today. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore more than 125 miles of trails across five major preserves, earning the city recognition from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The Reading Public Museum offers year-round exhibits and programs, while Albright College and Alvernia University contribute to the city's educational landscape. Notable areas include the Centre Park Historic District, showcasing preserved Victorian architecture, and College Heights. Penn's Commons and the Outlet District feature renovated historic buildings adapted for contemporary living.
Explore the City
West Reading Fall Fest attracts thousands of locals to shop local vendors.
Some of the residential streets in Downtown Reading are tree lined with wide sidewalks.
The Schuylkill River runs along the western boundary of Northwest Reading.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$36,801
Average: $50,773
Education
9,864
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
40,421
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Reading has more renters than homeowners.
Renters
62%
Non-Renters
38%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
7%
Other Education
93%
Rent Trends
As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Reading, PA is $840 for a studio, $1,238 for one bedroom, $1,536 for two bedrooms, and $1,928 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Reading has increased by 2.0% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,238/month
650 Sq Ft
House
$1,785/month
794 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,213/month
952 Sq Ft
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Reading, PA is 1.1% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Reading is 5.8% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $840 - $1,928. You can expect to pay 3.0% less for groceries, 4.1% more for utilities, and 1.7% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Reading, PA is for everyday living.
Exceptionally Walkable
Walkability
90
/ 100
Good Public Transit
Transit
70
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
60
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Owatin Creek Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
551 Students
Shiloh Hills Elementary School
Public
Grades K-5
557 Students
Public
Grades K-5
612 Students
Public
Grades K-5
451 Students
Public
Grades K-5
369 Students
Public
Grades K-8
869 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
637 Students
Public
Grades K-8
1,865 Students
Public
Grades K-8
938 Students
Public
Grades K-8
759 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,286 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,151 Students
Antietam Middle School/High School
Public
Grades 6-12
548 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
5,213 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Naeg Planetarium
- Reading Public Museum
- Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
Commuter Rail
Airports
- Lehigh Valley International
Top Apartments in Reading
Houses for Rent in Reading
Property Management Companies in Reading, PA
Kriegman & Smith
-
48
Communities
-
5,514
Units
-
34
Cities
2 Communities in Reading
RP Management
-
25
Communities
-
4,472
Units
-
19
Cities
2 Communities in Reading
Morgan Properties
-
390
Communities
-
108,283
Units
-
237
Cities
1 Community in Reading
The Kamson Corporation
-
20
Communities
-
5,613
Units
-
17
Cities
1 Community in Reading
The Galman Group
-
19
Communities
-
4,928
Units
-
14
Cities
1 Community in Reading
Lexington Realty International
-
10
Communities
-
2,473
Units
-
8
Cities
1 Community in Reading
Living in Reading
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.