Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Reading, MA

    Is Reading a good place to live?

    Watch Reading

    Reading ranks #2 of 64 Massachusetts cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (82/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $741,100
    +3.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,722
    per month
    Household income
    $163,725
    median
    Unemployment
    3.0%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Reading

    The median home value in Reading is $741,100 and median rent is $1,722 a month, against a median household income of $163,725. Homes cost about 4.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Reading crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Massachusetts the 2025 rate was 301 violent and 1,036 property crimes per 100,000 people — #42 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Reading, MA

    Reading has about 25,448 residents, 3.0% unemployment and 34% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Reading with

    Reading vs BostonReading vs WorcesterReading vs SpringfieldReading vs CambridgeReading vs LowellReading vs BrocktonReading vs QuincyReading vs Lynn

    More: Where to move in Massachusetts · Best counties in Massachusetts

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report