Cost of Living in Reading, MA
Population 25,448 · Massachusetts · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Reading run well above the national baseline, with a median of $741,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $163,725 place the city among the better-paid Massachusetts metros.
Geographically, Reading sits roughly 8 miles northwest of Lynn. Median home values run roughly 57% higher than Lynn's $473,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Reading
The median home value in Reading is $741,100 — 143% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,722/month, 31% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $163,725/year is 120% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, below the national average of 4.8%. Massachusetts's top state income tax rate is 9.0% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. Overall, Reading has a cost of living index of 198 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 98% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Reading, MA?
Reading has a cost index of 198 (100 = national average). It is 98% above the national average.
What is average rent in Reading, MA?
The median gross rent in Reading is $1,722 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Reading?
The median home value in Reading is $741,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Reading?
The median household income in Reading is $163,725 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Reading, MA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Reading is 6.3%. The Massachusetts state income tax top rate is 9.0%.
Is Reading, MA affordable?
Reading is above average in cost of living, with an index of 198 — about 98% higher than the national average.
Reading at a Glance
- Population
- 25,448
- Median Income
- $163,725
- Home Value
- $741,100
- Median Rent
- $1,722/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.0%
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Massachusetts Rankings
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