How many renters in Reading, MA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?

Name: Rent burden in Reading, MA, 2020–2024
Creator: US Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

27.8% (±8.7 points) of renting households in Reading, MA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

24.2% spend 35% or more.

The median renting household spends 24.7% of its income on rent.

Figures last updated on November 12, 2026.

Paying 30% or more: 27.8% (±8.7 points)
Paying 35% or more: 24.2% (±8.2 points)
Median share of income: 24.7% (±2.2 points)

Rent as a share of income in Reading

Renting households by gross rent as a percentage of household income, 2020–2024
Share of income spent on rent	Reading	Middlesex County	Massachusetts	United States
Less than 15%	11.3% (±6.0 points)	13.1%	12.4%	12.6%
15% to 19.9%	15.5% (±7.2 points)	13.5%	11.6%	12.2%
20% to 24.9%	24.7% (±8.7 points)	14.2%	12.3%	12.6%
25% to 29.9%	20.7% (±8.1 points)	12.0%	12.0%	11.5%
30% to 34.9%	3.6% (±3.0 points)	9.5%	10.0%	9.2%
35% or more	24.2% (±8.2 points)	37.6%	41.8%	41.9%

Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.

Reading against Middlesex County, its state and the nation

Estimate (90% margin of error)
	Reading	Middlesex County	Massachusetts	United States
Paying 30% or more	27.8% (±8.7 points)	47.1% (±1.1 points)	51.8% (±0.5 points)	51.1%
Paying 35% or more	24.2% (±8.2 points)	37.6% (±1.0 points)	41.8% (±0.4 points)	41.9%
Median share of income	24.7% (±2.2 points)	28.8% (±0.4 points)	30.9% (±0.3 points)	30.6%
Median renter household income	$88,750 (±$23,280)	$84,135 (±$1,906)	$60,987 (±$576)	$52,966
Median gross rent	$1,991 (±$273)	$2,201 (±$17)	$1,762 (±$9)	$1,413

In Reading, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is lower than in Middlesex County (47.1%).

It is also lower than in Massachusetts (51.8%).

It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).

In Middlesex County, Reading ranks 54 of 54 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.

Statewide, it ranks 319 of 351.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near Reading

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Reading
Place	Distance	Renters paying 30% or more of income	Compared with this place
Reading	—	27.8% (±8.7 points)	—
Wakefield (community)	3.0 mi	43.7% (±8.9 points)	Higher
Wakefield	3.0 mi	43.7% (±8.9 points)	Higher
North Reading	3.2 mi	75.6% (±12.5 points)	Higher
Lynnfield (community)	3.4 mi	69.2% (±17.4 points)	Higher
Lynnfield	3.4 mi	69.2% (±17.4 points)	Higher
Wilmington (community)	3.6 mi	60.9% (±19.6 points)	Higher
Wilmington	3.6 mi	60.9% (±19.6 points)	Higher
Woburn	4.1 mi	55.4% (±7.5 points)	Higher

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Wakefield (community), MA (43.7%), Wakefield, MA (43.7%), North Reading, MA (75.6%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Renters paying 30% or more of income across Middlesex County, place by place

Rank	Place	Renters paying 30% or more of income
48	Medford	41.0% (±4.3 points)
49	Hudson	40.9% (±10.1 points)
50	Winchester	39.3% (±11.2 points)
51	Ashby	36.3% (±35.1 points)
52	Somerville	36.2% (±3.0 points)
53	Arlington	34.9% (±4.7 points)
54	Reading	27.8% (±8.7 points)

Showing 7 of 54 places in Middlesex County, ranked from highest to lowest.

The figures for Reading include the places inside it that have pages of their own: Reading (community).

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Reading

Are renters in Reading rent-burdened?

27.8% of renting households in Reading pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

What share of income do renters in Reading spend on rent?

The median renting household in Reading, MA spends 24.7% (±2.2 points) of its household income on gross rent.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for Reading town, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (county subdivision:56130, in state:25 county:017).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.