Cost of Living in Reading, OH

Population 10,490 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

63
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Reading is a smaller Ohio community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $60,167 and housing costs ($184,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Reading sits roughly 7 miles northeast of Cincinnati. Median home values run roughly 14% lower than Cincinnati's $215,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 66

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Reading

The median home value in Reading is $184,200 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $871/month, 34% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $60,167/year is 19% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.1%, above the national average of 4.8%. Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.2%. The climate averages highs of 65.4°F and lows of 44.2°F. Overall, Reading has a cost of living index of 63 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$184,200
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$228,881
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$871/mo
34% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,089/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$686
1 BR
$748
2 BR
$929
3 BR
$1,199
4 BR
$1,374
Owner-occupied 58.9%
Renter-occupied 41.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$871
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,485/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
19.8 min
27% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
16.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.0%
Carpooled
5.7%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
16.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 3.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.2%
State rate 5.8%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$60,167
19% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,102
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
6% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.9%
Labor Force Participation
70.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 15.8%
Graduate degree 9.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 42.6
Male median age 41.5
Female median age 43.7

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
65.4°F
Avg Low
44.2°F
Annual Precip
43.4"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 414555677583878680685545
Low °F 242633435361656456443428
Precip" 2.862.793.944.374.704.614.393.393.073.052.913.32

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
35.3%
Good air days/yr
193
Max AQI recorded
260
PM2.5 days
103
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

87%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,656
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Reading, OH?

Reading has a cost index of 63 (100 = national average). It is 37% below the national average.

What is average rent in Reading, OH?

The median gross rent in Reading is $871 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Reading?

The median home value in Reading is $184,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Reading?

The median household income in Reading is $60,167 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Reading, OH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Reading is 7.2%. The Ohio state income tax top rate is 3.8%.

Is Reading, OH affordable?

Yes, Reading is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 63 — about 37% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Reading?

Reading has average high temperatures of 65.4°F and average lows of 44.2°F. Annual precipitation is 43.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Reading at a Glance

Population
10,490
Median Income
$60,167
Home Value
$184,200
Median Rent
$871/mo
Unemployment
5.1%
Avg High Temp
65.4°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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🗺️ County data for Ohio

Explore county-level cost of living data

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