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Living in Reading

Reading is one of the cities recorded in the United Kingdom. Reading numbered 203,795 residents at the end of 2021. Regional median gross salary figures for Reading showed €3,748 per month at the end of 2024. The unemployment rate was 4.31% at the end of 2018.

Higher unemployment than 68% of United Kingdom cities that publish it and dirtier air than any other United Kingdom city that publishes it.

Which United Kingdom-wide rules apply when you move to Reading?

National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.

Visa and entry rulesPassport-specific entry and national residence context.BenefitsCountry-wide eligibility and official application routes.Taxes in United KingdomNational rates and thresholds that apply in Reading.Healthcare eligibilityCountry-wide insurance and residence conditions.

Housing and cost

No city-level rent or cost figure is published for Reading yet. United Kingdom has country-level context; it is not substituted for this city.

Work and income

At the end of 2021, the employment rate stood at 62.6%. Reading's working population was 103,750 at the end of 2021.

What is the unemployment rate in Reading?

The unemployment rate is about 4.3 % (2018).

  • Unemployment rate: 4.31 % · Eurostat4
Unemployment across cities in United KingdomUnemployment in Reading is 4.3%. Of 384 cities with data, 230 have unemployment of 2 to under 4%.
unemployment rate, % · measured cities in United Kingdom per band9 cities: 0% to under 2%90–2230 cities: 2% to under 4%2302–4107 cities: 4% to under 6%1074–6Reading 4.3%30 cities: 6% to under 8%306–84 cities: 8% to under 10%48–103 cities: 10% to under 12%310–121 city: 16% to under 18%116–18

Unemployment rate (%)

MetricValuePeriodSource
Employment rate62.6 %31 Dec 2021Office for National Statistics5Official
Median gross salary (regional)3,748 EUR/month31 Dec 2024Office for National Statistics (ONS)8Official · regional context
Unemployment rate4.31 %country median 3.5%31 Dec 2018Eurostat4Official
Unemployment rate over time7 published observations, 2004–2018
Unemployment rate in Reading by year, %2.2%3.7%5.2%6.6%20042011201620184.3%%

Unemployment rate fell 16.0% between 2004 and 2018, from 5.1% to 4.3%.

Public employment service

No exact public employment office is currently linked to Reading. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.

Country-level information

Jobcentre Plus — Public employment service

Department for Work and Pensions

Job SearchUnemployment Claim
Open official service
Open the United Kingdom service overview

Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in Reading. Sources checked through 10 Aug 2026.

Family and education

MetricValuePeriodSource
Primary School Count102 count3 Aug 2026Department for Education (GIAS)1Official
School Count156 count3 Aug 2026Department for Education (GIAS)1Official

Safety

How safe is Reading?

Police recorded about 9,795 incidents per 100,000 (2024). This counts all offences, so it is not comparable with a violent-crime-only rate from another source.

  • Recorded incidents per 100,000 residents: 9,795 offences per 100,000 · Office for National Statistics7
Recorded crime across major citiesReading highlighted among comparable cities
Recorded crime across major cities with Reading highlighted14,267Manchester13,099Bristol12,409Liverpool11,462Leeds11,416Birmingham11,001Leicester9,795Reading9,693Sheffield9,379Cardiff8,836Coventry757Glasgow549Edinburghrecorded incidents per 100k residents
MetricValuePeriodSource
Recorded incidents per 100,000 residents9,795 offences per 100,000country median 9,669 — about the same31 Dec 2024Office for National Statistics7Official

Mobility and administration

Reading's nearest airport was LHR, 35 km away and offered 171 direct destinations.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Airport Direct Destinations Count171 count3 Aug 2026OpenFlights11Official
Nearest Major Airport Distance Km35 km3 Aug 2026OurAirports12Official
Nearest Major Airport IataLHR3 Aug 2026OurAirports12Official

Climate and air quality

Annual PM2.5 in the air was 9 µg/m³ at the end of 2018.

Is the air quality good in Reading?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 9 µg/m³ (2018) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: European Environment Agency3

Annual mean at the measuring site(s) serving the city; current-day readings differ.

Temperature through the yearAverage daytime high and night-time low, °C
Reading average monthly daytime high and night-time low temperature, °C0°10°20°30°JFMAMJJASOND23°1°Daytime highNight-time low
Rainfall through the yearAverage monthly precipitation, mm
Reading average monthly precipitation, mm020406080594240495246455350697058JFMAMJJASONDmm
Sunshine through the yearAverage monthly sunshine, hours
Reading average monthly sunshine, hours05511016522064821271792142132202021571177259JFMAMJJASONDhours
Air quality vs health guidelinesAnnual means against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limits
Reading annual air pollutant levels against WHO 2021 guidelines and EU legal limitsCity valueWHO guidelineEU limit5259.0PM2.5µg/m³

City values from the published air-quality observations. WHO 2021 guidelines and EU limit values are published constants.

PM2.5 across cities in United KingdomOf 104 cities with data, 52 have annual PM2.5 of 6 to under 7 µg/m³.
annual PM2.5, µg/m³ · measured cities in United Kingdom per band1 city: 4 µg/m³ to under 5 µg/m³14–522 cities: 5 µg/m³ to under 6 µg/m³225–652 cities: 6 µg/m³ to under 7 µg/m³526–727 cities: 7 µg/m³ to under 8 µg/m³277–82 cities: 8 µg/m³ to under 9 µg/m³28–9

Annual PM2.5 (µg/m³)

MetricValuePeriodSource
PM2.5 — annual mean9 µg/m³31 Dec 2018European Environment Agency3Official · nearest-station reading
Average daytime high by monthJan 7.7 · Feb 8.3 · Mar 11 · Apr 14 · May 17.2 · Jun 20.3 · Jul 22.8 · Aug 22.3 · Sep 19.3 · Oct 14.9 · Nov 10.7 · Dec 8.1 °C31 Dec 1991World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI13Official · nearest-station reading
Average night-time low by monthJan 1.1 · Feb 1 · Mar 2.2 · Apr 3.8 · May 6.8 · Jun 9.7 · Jul 11.7 · Aug 11.6 · Sep 9.3 · Oct 6.8 · Nov 3.6 · Dec 1.2 °C31 Dec 1991World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI14Official · nearest-station reading
Average temperature by monthJan 4.4 · Feb 4.7 · Mar 6.6 · Apr 8.9 · May 12 · Jun 15 · Jul 17.2 · Aug 17 · Sep 14.3 · Oct 10.9 · Nov 7.1 · Dec 4.6 °C31 Dec 1991World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI15Official · nearest-station reading
Average precipitation by monthJan 58.9 · Feb 42.1 · Mar 39.8 · Apr 49 · May 52.3 · Jun 46.2 · Jul 45.2 · Aug 53.3 · Sep 49.9 · Oct 68.9 · Nov 70 · Dec 58.1 mm31 Dec 1991World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI16Official · nearest-station reading
Average sunshine by monthJan 63.7 · Feb 82.3 · Mar 126.6 · Apr 178.8 · May 214.2 · Jun 213.3 · Jul 220 · Aug 201.5 · Sep 157 · Oct 116.7 · Nov 72 · Dec 59.3 hours31 Dec 1991World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI17Official · nearest-station reading

Cities of a similar size in United Kingdom

Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.

All United Kingdom cities
Norwich200,770 residentsCity of Westminster209,365 residentsMilton Keynes197,340 residentsBournemouth196,455 residentsPeterborough190,605 residentsIslington222,724 residents

Population and city profile

At the end of 2021, the median age reached 35 years.

How many people live in Reading?

The published population was 203,795 people in 2021. Source: Office for National Statistics6

MetricValuePeriodSource
Population203,795 people31 Dec 2021Office for National Statistics6Official

International community in Reading

Named groups from exact city-grain official distributions. Citizenship, birthplace, language and ancestry answer different questions and stay separate.

Country of birth

Usual residents living in the individual ONS Built-up Area on Census Day 21 March 2021 · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Europe: United Kingdom138,05067.7%
Non-EU countries (including British Overseas)44,94522.1%
Europe: EU countries20,79510.2%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source10

Is Reading a good place to live?

There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.

Try your profile
Remote worker48%strong on work, weak on housing · range 37–59%
Skilled employee61%strong on work, weak on housing · range 52–70%
Student59%strong on education, weak on housing · range 50–68%
Family54%strong on family, weak on housing · range 45–63%
Retirement46%strong on legal route, weak on admin · range 33–59%
Population203,795 people31 Dec 2021Official source · Office for National Statistics
Employment rate62.6 %31 Dec 2021Official source · Office for National Statistics
Median gross salary (regional)3,748 EUR/month31 Dec 2024Official source · Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Unemployment rate4.31 %31 Dec 2018Official source · Eurostat
PM2.5 — annual mean9 µg/m³31 Dec 2018Official source · European Environment Agency
Recorded incidents per 100,000 residents9,795 offences per 100,00031 Dec 2024Official source · Office for National Statistics
Every value keeps its source, geographic scope and verification date · Last checked 2026-08-07

Additional context

MetricValuePeriodSource
G07 Bachelors Or Higher Share Pct39.1 %31 Dec 2021Office for National Statistics5Official
G09 Total Workers 16plus103,750 workers31 Dec 2021Office for National Statistics5Official
Median age35 years31 Dec 2021Office for National Statistics5Official
Universities2 count3 Aug 2026Office for Students9Official

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in Reading under the national coverage rules.

Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.

Open the official coverage guide
Country rule verified 2026-08-03.

Is Reading part of London?

Reading is near London, but the collected evidence does not establish that it is administratively part of the hub or an official satellite. It is about 58.7 km away by straight-line distance.

Relationship type: Nearby Independent Place. Source2

Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

How many people live in Reading?

The published population was 203,795 people in 2021. Source: Office for National Statistics.

Is the air quality good in Reading?

The annual PM2.5 mean is 9 µg/m³ (2018) — above the WHO 2021 guideline of 5 µg/m³ but within the EU limit of 25 µg/m³. Source: European Environment Agency.

How safe is Reading?

Police recorded about 9,795 incidents per 100,000 (2024). This counts all offences, so it is not comparable with a violent-crime-only rate from another source. Source: Office for National Statistics.

What is the unemployment rate in Reading?

The unemployment rate is about 4.3 % (2018). Source: Eurostat.

What is the typical salary around Reading?

The median gross salary is 3,748 EUR/month. Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Is Reading a good place to live?

Reading may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.

Is Reading part of London?

Reading is near London, but the collected evidence does not establish that it is administratively part of the hub or an official satellite. It is about 58.7 km away by straight-line distance.

How many people born in Europe: EU countries live in Reading?

The official country of birth distribution records 20,795 people (10.2%) in the source-defined population for 2021 Census. This is a country of birth measure, not a general estimate of ethnicity or migration status.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 12). Reading, United Kingdom: salary, jobs [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/uk/reading/ Retrieved 2026-09-12. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_reading-united-kingdom-salary-jobs_6557a6e81ed2,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Reading, United Kingdom: salary, jobs},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-12},
  version = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  snapshot = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/uk/reading/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-12. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[Reading, United Kingdom: salary, jobs](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/uk/reading/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; retrieved 2026-09-12; built 2026-09-12.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

JSON Markdown
  1. Department for Education (GIAS) get-information-schools.service.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-03
  2. download.geonames.org recorded crime data download.geonames.org · checked 2026-08-28
  3. European Environment Agency air.discomap.eea.europa.eu · checked 2026-08-05
  4. Eurostat ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-08-05
  5. Office for National Statistics ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-07
  6. Office for National Statistics ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-04
  7. Office for National Statistics ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-04
  8. Office for National Statistics (ONS) ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-08-06
  9. Office for Students officeforstudents.org.uk · checked 2026-08-03
  10. ONS Census 2021 BUA row and ONS/OS BUA 2022 geometry for Abbots Langley and Kings Langley ons.gov.uk · checked 2026-07-06
Show 7 more sources
  1. OpenFlights raw.githubusercontent.com · checked 2026-08-03
  2. OurAirports davidmegginson.github.io · checked 2026-08-03
  3. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI nodc.noaa.gov · checked 2026-08-05
  4. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI nodc.noaa.gov · checked 2026-08-05
  5. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI nodc.noaa.gov · checked 2026-08-05
  6. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI nodc.noaa.gov · checked 2026-08-05
  7. World Meteorological Organization / NOAA NCEI nodc.noaa.gov · checked 2026-08-05

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