2026 Affordability Data
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Reading - 2026 Data
The median home value in Reading is $96,900, 66% below nat'l avg. Median rent is $748/month. With an affordability index of 158, Reading is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. We ranked 15 neighborhoods by affordability to help you find the best value in the Reading, PA area.
Key Takeaways: Affordability in Reading
- 1The most affordable neighborhood in Reading is Oil City, with a median home value of $59,900.
- 2Reading's median home value is $96,900, 66% below nat'l avg (national: $281,900).
- 3Reading's affordability index is 158 (baseline 100), making it more affordable than the national average.
- 4Median rent in Reading is $748/month, 36% below nat'l avg (national: $1,163/month).
- 5We analyzed 15 neighborhoods in Reading to find the most affordable areas based on home values, rent, and affordability index.
Reading Affordability Overview
Median Home Value
$96,900
66% below nat'l avg
Median Rent
$748/mo
36% below nat'l avg
Median Income
$42,852
43% below nat'l avg
Affordability Index
158
58% above nat'l avg
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Reading (Ranked)
| Rank | Neighborhood | Median Home Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oil CityPA | $59,900 |
| 2 | Quakertown boroughPA | $241,600 |
| 3 | MeadvillePA | $136,200 |
| 4 | ScrantonPA | $125,700 |
| 5 | Lower BurrellPA | $180,700 |
| 6 | Conshohocken boroughPA | $381,100 |
| 7 | Franklin Park boroughPA | $436,300 |
| 8 | EriePA | $101,500 |
| 9 | Kingston boroughPA | $146,700 |
| 10 | BethlehemPA | $220,300 |
| 11 | Whitehall boroughPA | $215,000 |
| 12 | GreensburgPA | $160,600 |
| 13 | YorkPA | $92,600 |
| 14 | Wilkes-BarrePA | $98,200 |
| 15 | HazletonPA | $119,700 |
Detailed Neighborhood Profiles
Home Value: $59,900
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 9,599
Walk Score: 1/100
Home Value: $241,600
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 9,309
Walk Score: 1/100
Home Value: $136,200
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 12,929
Walk Score: 1/100
4
Home Value: $125,700
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 76,119
Walk Score: 1/100
5
Home Value: $180,700
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 11,701
Walk Score: 1/100
6
Home Value: $381,100
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 9,182
Walk Score: 1/100
7
Home Value: $436,300
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 15,305
Walk Score: 1/100
8
Home Value: $101,500
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 94,826
Walk Score: 1/100
9
Home Value: $146,700
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 13,317
Walk Score: 1/100
10
Home Value: $220,300
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 76,555
Walk Score: 1/100
11
Home Value: $215,000
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 14,909
Walk Score: 1/100
12
Home Value: $160,600
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 14,876
Walk Score: 1/100
13
Home Value: $92,600
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 44,782
Walk Score: 1/100
14
Home Value: $98,200
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 44,123
Walk Score: 1/100
15
Home Value: $119,700
Rent: $748/mo
Affordability: 158
Population: 29,671
Walk Score: 1/100
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordability in Reading
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Reading, PA?▾
Based on 2026 data, Oil City is the most affordable neighborhood in Reading with a median home value of $59,900. Kurby analyzed 15 neighborhoods in the Reading area to compile these rankings.
What is the median home price in Reading, PA?▾
The median home price in Reading is $96,900, which is 66% below nat'l avg. The national median home value is $281,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).
Is Reading affordable compared to the national average?▾
Reading has an affordability index of 158, which means housing is more affordable than the national baseline of 100. An index above 100 indicates that a median-income household can afford a median-priced home in the area.
What is the average rent in Reading, PA?▾
The median monthly rent in Reading is $748. This is 36% below nat'l avg. The national median rent is $1,163/month (Source: Kurby, 2026).
What is the median household income in Reading?▾
The median household income in Reading is $42,852 compared to the national median of $74,580. This metric is important for understanding housing affordability in relation to local earning power (Source: Kurby, 2026).
How many neighborhoods in Reading are below the national average home price?▾
13 out of 15 ranked neighborhoods in Reading have a median home value below the national average of $281,900. The most affordable is Oil City at $59,900 (Source: Kurby, 2026).