Cost of living · 2026/27
Reading: Cost of Living 2026/27
Thames Valley tech hub with a concentration of software and telecoms head offices. Workplace median pay (£954/week in ASHE 2025) is the highest of any city in this set outside London - within £4 of the London region figure - though a typical 2-bed averages around £1,400/month and the 2026/27 area Band D (£2,613) is among the highest here.
At a glance
- Typical 2-bed rent
- £1,400/mo
- Council Tax Band D
- £2,613/yr
- Median annual pay (FT)
- £49,608
- Population
- 183,000
Note. Reading's ASHE 2025 workplace full-time median (£954.40) nearly matches the London region's £958.20. Rents are high for a town of about 183,000 but remain roughly £800/month below London's 2-bed average.
Take-home after rent in Reading
Monthly take-home for common UK salaries, using England tax rates (our salary calculator), then subtracting typical rent and monthly council tax / rates.
| Gross | Take-home /mo | After rent | After rent + council tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| £49,608 (local median) | £3,270 | £1,870 | £1,652 |
| £50,000 | £3,293 | £1,893 | £1,676 |
| £75,000 | £4,505 | £3,105 | £2,887 |
| £100,000 | £5,713 | £4,313 | £4,095 |
Primary industries in Reading
- Technology (Microsoft, Oracle UK bases)
- Telecoms
- Financial and professional services
- Insurance