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Reading, PA

Cost of living in Berks County, PA

Part of the Reading Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,133/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 429,989 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,075 34%
Federal tax $546 17%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $341 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $205 7%
State tax $111 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Berks County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$928
per month
1 bedroom
$1,075
per month
2 bedroom
$1,353
per month
3 bedroom
$1,689
per month
4 bedroom
$1,794
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Berks County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$77,684
per year
Individual earnings
$43,426
per year
Per capita
$39,012
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Berks County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$239,700
Annual property tax
$4,238

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Berks County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$143
per month · 17.9¢/kWh
Natural gas
$62
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Berks County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Berks County

State and local tax rates for Pennsylvania.

State income tax
3.1%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Berks County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
25.0 min
Drive alone
75.3%
Public transit
1.0%
Work from home
10.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Berks County

What it costs to live in Berks County each month.

Single person
$3,133
per month
  • Rent $1,075
  • Energy $205
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $341
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $546
  • State tax $111
Couple
$4,653
per month
  • Rent $1,353
  • Energy $246
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $565
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $941
  • State tax $199
Family
$7,139
per month
  • Rent $1,689
  • Energy $308
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $857
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $941
  • State tax $199

Frequently asked questions about Berks County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Berks County?

In Berks County, PA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,075 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,353 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,689 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Berks County?

In Berks County, PA, the average household income is $77,684 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,426 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Berks County?

The estimated cost of living in Berks County, PA is approximately $3,133 per month for a single person, $4,653 for a couple, $7,139 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Berks County?

The combined sales tax rate in Berks County, PA is 6.34%, which includes the Pennsylvania state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.34%.

Is Berks County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Berks County, PA would need approximately $3,133 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $77,684 per year ($6,474 per month). Berks County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Berks County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Berks County, PA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Berks County?

The average home value in Berks County, PA is $239,700, with average annual property taxes of $4,238, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Berks County compare to other areas?

You can compare Berks County, PA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Berks County is in the Reading, PA metro area.

Other counties in Pennsylvania

Browse the full list of counties in Pennsylvania, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Pennsylvania

Compare Berks County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources