Cost of Living in Reading
South East
Town
Berkshire, EnglandPopulation: 174,000
Average House Price
£382.8k
+32% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£43,757
+12% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,242/mo
+4% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,319Band D / yr
Energy£151/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£38.00/ mo
Bus Pass£79.99/ mo
House Prices in Reading
+1.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£382,790
Detached£595,900
Semi-detached£378,750
Terraced£318,150
Flat / Apartment£237,350
House prices in Reading have increased by +1.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Reading
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£43,757
Mean£49,608
Median hourly rate£21.04/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£29,892
Upper quartile (75th)£58,830
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+12.1%
£4,718 above national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Reading
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Reading each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,242 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £193 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £151 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £38.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £207 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £297 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £168 |
| Estimated Total | £2,331 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Reading
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£79.99
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.59
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£207
Compare Reading with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Reading stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Reading
- What is the average house price in Reading?
- The average house price in Reading is £382,790, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £595,900, while flats and apartments average £237,350. Prices have risen by +1.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Reading?
- The median annual salary in Reading is £43,757, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £4,718 above the national average, making it a higher-earning area. Salaries typically range from £29,892 (lower quartile) to £58,830 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Reading?
- Average monthly rent in Reading is £1,242 per month. Rents have increased by +2.5% over the past year.
- Is Reading an affordable place to live?
- Reading can be a stretch for those on median earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 34% of the median monthly income, which exceeds the 30% affordability guideline. The average monthly rent is £1,242, while the median annual salary is £43,757 (approximately £3,646 per month before tax).
- How does Reading compare to London?
- The average house price in Reading is £382,790, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Reading costs around 69% of London prices, making it £168,210 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,242 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Reading?
- House prices in Reading are currently rising, with a +1.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £382,790 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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