Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$79,777$6,648 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Berks County, PA
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Berks County, PA
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Reading, PA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $1,086 | $13,032 | $43,440 | 16.3% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,237 | $14,844 | $49,480 | 18.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,575 | $18,900 | $63,000 | 23.7% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,937 | $23,244 | $77,480 | 29.1% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $2,085 | $25,020 | $83,400 | 31.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Berks County, PA
Based on the local median household income of $79,777/year ($6,648/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Pennsylvania
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across Pennsylvania with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Berks County, PA
What is the median household income in Berks County, PA?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Berks County, PA is $79,777 per year (approximately $6,648 per month).
What is the average rent in Berks County, PA?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Berks County, PA are $1,086 for a studio, $1,237 for 1 bedroom, $1,575 for 2 bedrooms, $1,937 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,085 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Berks County, PA compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Berks County, PA is 97.1 (2.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Berks County, PA?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,575/month) in Berks County, PA requires a minimum gross household income of $63,000 per year ($5,250 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Berks County, PA?
For a typical household earning the median income of $79,777/year ($6,648/month) in Berks County, PA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,324/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,994/month to discretionary spending, and $1,330/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Berks County, PA?
Residential electricity rates in Pennsylvania average 21.7¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $196 per month.