The Berkshire
501 Washington St,
Reading, PA 19601
Studio - 2 Beds | $1,100 - $1,700
Rental Market Trends in Reading, PA
Updated September 2026
The average rent in Reading, PA is $1,245/month.
Rent in Reading is 25% lower than the national average rent of $1,664/month, making this one of the less expensive cities statewide.
$1,245/month
Average Rent
643 Sq Ft
Average Size
+2%
Change / Year
205
Available Apartments
Reading rent varies by unit size and layout:
- Studio apartments in Reading average $885 per month.
- One-bedroom apartments in Reading average $1,245 per month.
- Two-bedroom apartments in Reading average $1,560 per month.
- Three-bedroom apartments in Reading average $1,882 or more per month.
Average Rent by Home Type
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Bedrooms
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
How much has average rent changed in Reading, PA?
In the past year, rent has increased by 2%, which averages out to $26 more per month.
Market Trends Over Time
September 2026
2025
2026
Rent Ranges in Reading, PA
September 2026
$1,001 - $1,500
Most rental prices fall within this range
Percentage*
Rent Range
2%
Below $700/month
17%
$700 - $1,000/month
54%
$1,001 - $1,500/month
20%
$1,501 - $2,000/month
7%
Above $2,000/month
Rent by Neighborhood
What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Reading?
Based on current rent prices, East Reading and Reiffton" are the most affordable neighborhoods in Reading.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Reading?
Based on current rent prices, Reiffton and East Reading" are the most expensive neighborhoods in Reading.
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Which Reading neighborhoods have the most rentals available?
The neighborhoods in Reading with the most apartments available are East Reading and Reiffton" .
Neighborhood
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Reading, PA?
Because the average rent in Reading is $1,245, you’ll want to make about $4,150 per month or $49,800 per year. The general guideline is to pay no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. However, you’ll want to consider additional factors, such as your monthly bills and other expenses. Use our rent affordability calculator to help determine how much to budget for rent.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Reading, PA is 0.9% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Reading is 6.8% less expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $885 - $1,882. You can expect to pay 2.8% less for groceries, 5.2% more for utilities, and 1.6% more for transportation.
How does Reading, PA compare to other nearby cities and neighborhoods?
Use the tool below to compare Reading, PA to other nearby cities and neighborhoods. The Apartments.com neighborhood guides provide you with insight into the area’s transportation, things to do, and more.
View the Reading Area GuideStudio
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-
One Bedroom
$1,283/month
-
Two Bedroom
$1,490/month
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Three Bedroom
-
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Compare Rent Trends Nearby
Get a clearer picture of the area by viewing rent trends in nearby cities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent in Reading?
The average rent in Reading is $1,245 per month, which is 25.2% lower than the national average of $1,664.
What is the average rent for a house in Reading?
The average rent for a house in Reading, PA is $1,730 per month.
What is the average rent for a townhome in Reading?
The average rent for a townhome in Reading, PA is $1,381 per month.
Are rents going up or down in Reading?
Rents in Reading, PA are increasing, with prices up 2.0% year-over-year and $26 more per month.
What rent range is most common in Reading?
In Reading, PA, 54% of apartments fall between $1,001 - $1,500/month, though prices may vary depending on location and other factors.
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 September 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.
* Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.