Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Berks County, Pennsylvania
Berks County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,418 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $1,181 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $27.27 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,418
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 7% less than in Pennsylvania
- Typical rent
- $1,181
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 2% less than in Pennsylvania
- Wage needed
- $27.27
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $56,720 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 52%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 8% more than in Pennsylvania
Only here
Renting in Berks County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
Nearby, in Schuylkill County, the typical rent is $876: 26% less than in Berks County ($1,181).
-
Berks County has the 6th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania (52%).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Berks County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Berks County was $1,551 a month in September 2026: 2.9% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $978 | $18.81 | $39,120 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,114 | $21.42 | $44,560 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,418 | $27.27 | $56,720 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,744 | $33.54 | $69,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,877 | $36.10 | $75,080 |
HUD area: Reading, PA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 66 ZIP codes in Berks County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,420 in 17087 to $2,220 in 18011. 66 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($1,418).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 17087 | Lebanon, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17087 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 18011 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,560 | $1,800 | $2,220 | $2,760 | $2,980 |
| 18011 | Reading, PA | $1,560 | $1,800 | $2,220 | $2,760 | $2,980 |
| 18056 | Reading, PA | $1,400 | $1,570 | $2,010 | $2,450 | $2,690 |
| 19503 | Reading, PA | $1,020 | $1,170 | $1,480 | $1,820 | $1,960 |
| 19504 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,020 | $1,130 | $1,420 | $1,710 | $1,880 |
| 19504 | Reading, PA | $1,020 | $1,130 | $1,420 | $1,710 | $1,880 |
| 19505 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,000 | $1,150 | $1,440 | $1,780 | $1,920 |
| 19505 | Reading, PA | $1,000 | $1,150 | $1,440 | $1,780 | $1,920 |
| 19506 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19507 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19507 | Schuylkill County, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19508 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19510 | Reading, PA | $1,060 | $1,210 | $1,530 | $1,890 | $2,030 |
| 19511 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19512 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,000 | $1,130 | $1,430 | $1,760 | $1,900 |
| 19512 | Reading, PA | $1,000 | $1,130 | $1,430 | $1,760 | $1,900 |
| 19516 | Reading, PA | $1,240 | $1,390 | $1,780 | $2,170 | $2,380 |
| 19518 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,180 | $1,350 | $1,710 | $2,110 | $2,270 |
| 19518 | Reading, PA | $1,180 | $1,350 | $1,710 | $2,110 | $2,270 |
| 19522 | Reading, PA | $990 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,900 |
| 19523 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19526 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19529 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,200 | $1,370 | $1,710 | $2,110 | $2,300 |
| 19529 | Reading, PA | $1,200 | $1,370 | $1,710 | $2,110 | $2,300 |
| 19530 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 19530 | Reading, PA | $1,020 | $1,210 | $1,480 | $1,880 | $1,980 |
| 19533 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19534 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19535 | Reading, PA | $1,130 | $1,280 | $1,640 | $2,010 | $2,170 |
| 19536 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19538 | Reading, PA | $990 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,900 |
| 19539 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,670 | $2,080 | $2,220 |
| 19539 | Reading, PA | $1,150 | $1,340 | $1,670 | $2,080 | $2,220 |
| 19540 | Lancaster, PA | $1,000 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,790 | $1,880 |
| 19540 | Reading, PA | $1,000 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,790 | $1,880 |
| 19541 | Reading, PA | $1,240 | $1,390 | $1,780 | $2,170 | $2,380 |
| 19543 | Lancaster, PA | $1,150 | $1,280 | $1,630 | $2,000 | $2,180 |
| 19543 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $1,150 | $1,280 | $1,630 | $2,000 | $2,180 |
| 19543 | Reading, PA | $1,150 | $1,280 | $1,630 | $2,000 | $2,180 |
| 19544 | Reading, PA | $1,000 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,760 | $1,920 |
| 19545 | Reading, PA | $1,000 | $1,130 | $1,430 | $1,760 | $1,900 |
| 19547 | Reading, PA | $1,080 | $1,220 | $1,550 | $1,910 | $2,070 |
| 19550 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19551 | Lancaster, PA | $1,000 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,790 | $1,880 |
| 19551 | Lebanon, PA | $1,000 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,790 | $1,880 |
| 19551 | Reading, PA | $1,000 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,790 | $1,880 |
| 19554 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19555 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19559 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19560 | Reading, PA | $1,270 | $1,430 | $1,830 | $2,230 | $2,450 |
| 19562 | Reading, PA | $1,040 | $1,170 | $1,500 | $1,820 | $2,000 |
| 19564 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19565 | Reading, PA | $1,010 | $1,160 | $1,470 | $1,800 | $1,950 |
| 19567 | Reading, PA | $990 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,900 |
| 19601 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19602 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19604 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
| 19605 | Reading, PA | $1,110 | $1,240 | $1,590 | $1,940 | $2,120 |
| 19606 | Reading, PA | $1,090 | $1,240 | $1,580 | $1,940 | $2,090 |
| 19607 | Reading, PA | $1,090 | $1,240 | $1,580 | $1,940 | $2,100 |
| 19608 | Reading, PA | $1,270 | $1,450 | $1,850 | $2,270 | $2,440 |
| 19609 | Reading, PA | $1,150 | $1,310 | $1,660 | $2,040 | $2,200 |
| 19610 | Reading, PA | $1,350 | $1,530 | $1,960 | $2,410 | $2,590 |
| 19611 | Reading, PA | $980 | $1,120 | $1,420 | $1,750 | $1,880 |
- 17087 · Lebanon, PA $1,420$1,750
- 17087 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 18011 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $2,220$2,760
- 18011 · Reading, PA $2,220$2,760
- 18056 · Reading, PA $2,010$2,450
- 19503 · Reading, PA $1,480$1,820
- 19504 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,420$1,710
- 19504 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,710
- 19505 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,440$1,780
- 19505 · Reading, PA $1,440$1,780
- 19506 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19507 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19507 · Schuylkill County, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19508 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19510 · Reading, PA $1,530$1,890
- 19511 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19512 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,430$1,760
- 19512 · Reading, PA $1,430$1,760
- 19516 · Reading, PA $1,780$2,170
- 19518 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,710$2,110
- 19518 · Reading, PA $1,710$2,110
- 19522 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19523 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19526 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19529 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,710$2,110
- 19529 · Reading, PA $1,710$2,110
- 19530 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,480$1,880
- 19530 · Reading, PA $1,480$1,880
- 19533 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19534 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19535 · Reading, PA $1,640$2,010
- 19536 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19538 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19539 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA $1,670$2,080
- 19539 · Reading, PA $1,670$2,080
- 19540 · Lancaster, PA $1,420$1,790
- 19540 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,790
- 19541 · Reading, PA $1,780$2,170
- 19543 · Lancaster, PA $1,630$2,000
- 19543 · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $1,630$2,000
- 19543 · Reading, PA $1,630$2,000
- 19544 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,760
- 19545 · Reading, PA $1,430$1,760
- 19547 · Reading, PA $1,550$1,910
- 19550 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19551 · Lancaster, PA $1,420$1,790
- 19551 · Lebanon, PA $1,420$1,790
- 19551 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,790
- 19554 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19555 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19559 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19560 · Reading, PA $1,830$2,230
- 19562 · Reading, PA $1,500$1,820
- 19564 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19565 · Reading, PA $1,470$1,800
- 19567 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19601 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19602 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19604 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
- 19605 · Reading, PA $1,590$1,940
- 19606 · Reading, PA $1,580$1,940
- 19607 · Reading, PA $1,580$1,940
- 19608 · Reading, PA $1,850$2,270
- 19609 · Reading, PA $1,660$2,040
- 19610 · Reading, PA $1,960$2,410
- 19611 · Reading, PA $1,420$1,750
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Berks County, 52% of renter households are in that position; in Pennsylvania, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
52%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
46,902 households rent in Berks County
- Spend half or more of their income 26%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 26%
- Spend less than 30% 48%
Compared with the state and the country
- Berks 52%
- Pennsylvania 48%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Berks County
HUD lists 40 properties with homes for low-income households in Berks County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 22
- HUD-assisted
- 14
- public housing
- 5
4,245 homes in all; 3,800 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- D.D. Eisenhower Apts Public housing 815 Franklin St, Reading 19602 582 homes, 575 low-income · Run by Reading Housing Authority · Average payment: $335 a month · Average wait: 26 months · (610) 775-4813
- Oakbrook Homes Public housing 901 Patton Ave, Reading 19611 531 low-income homes · Run by Reading Housing Authority · Average payment: $474 a month · Average wait: 37 months · (610) 775-4813
- Glenside Homes Public housing 1349 Avenue D, Reading 19601 400 low-income homes · Run by Reading Housing Authority · Average payment: $480 a month · Average wait: 38 months · (610) 775-4813
- Jamestown Village Tax credit (LIHTC) · HUD-assisted 300 Lackawanna St, Reading 19601 275 homes, 273 low-income · For families · (610) 374-8116
- Jefferson Heights Public housing 38-40 W Philadelphia Ave, Boyertown 19512 209 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the County of Berks · Average payment: $523 a month · Average wait: 50 months · (610) 370-0822
- Reading Elderly Housing HUD-assisted 100 N Front St, Reading 19601 201 homes, 200 low-income · For older adults · (610) 373-1130
- Sencit Townhouses HUD-assisted 20 S Summit Ave, Shillington 19607 201 homes, 200 low-income · For older adults · (610) 777-6519
- B NAI B RITH HOUSE Apartments HUD-assisted 1026 Franklin St, Reading 19602 170 homes, 169 low-income · For older adults · (215) 374-4453
- Skyline View Apartments HUD-assisted 50 N 9th St, Reading 19601 141 homes, 121 low-income · For older adults · (610) 376-6535
- Hensler Homes Public housing 701 Avenue B, Reading 19601 102 low-income homes · Run by Reading Housing Authority · Average payment: $397 a month · Average wait: 25 months · (610) 775-4813
- Hugh Carcella Apartments HUD-assisted 505 N 10th St, Reading 19604 121 homes, 100 low-income · For older adults · (610) 372-1733
- River Run Meadows Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) Spring Grove CT, Birdsboro 19508 58 low-income homes · 1 bd: 22 · 2 bd: 20 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2017 · For families
- Wyomissing Club Tax credit (LIHTC) 501 Walnut St, Reading 19601 58 low-income homes · 1 bd: 54 · 2 bd: 4 · In service since 1999 · For older adults
- Abraham Lincoln Court Tax credit (LIHTC) 112 N 5th St, Reading 19601 52 low-income homes · 1 bd: 52 · In service since 1994 · For older adults
- Penns Crossing Tax credit (LIHTC) 1400 W Wyomissing Ct, Reading 19609 52 homes, 51 low-income · 1 bd: 42 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
- Luther Meadows HUD-assisted 1 S Home Ave, Topton 19562 51 homes, 50 low-income · For older adults · (610) 682-1533
- Heilman House HUD-assisted 1 S Home Ave, Topton 19562 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (610) 682-1450
- Saucony Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 20 Kohler Rd, Kutztown 19530 50 low-income homes · 1 bd: 50 · In service since 2002 · For older adults
- Wilson Manor HUD-assisted 10 Kohler Rd, Kutztown 19530 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (610) 894-9510
- Homes at Riverside Tax credit (LIHTC) 1001 Weiser St, Reading 19601 47 homes, 46 low-income · 1 bd: 1 · 2 bd: 23 · 3 bd: 23 · In service since 2016 · For families
- Villa at Morlattan Tax credit (LIHTC) 1180 Ben Franklin Hwy E, Douglassville 19518 102 homes, 45 low-income · Studio: 9 · 1 bd: 77 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
- Queen of Angels Apartments HUD-assisted 22 Rothermel St, Reading 19605 45 low-income homes · For older adults · (610) 921-3115
- Southgate at West Ridge Tax credit (LIHTC) 815 W Leesport Rd, Leesport 19533 45 low-income homes · 1 bd: 35 · 2 bd: 10 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
- Bookbindery Tax credit (LIHTC) 150 N 4th St, Reading 19601 41 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 14 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 1991 · For families
- John F Lutz Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 3559 Saint Lawrence Ave, Reading 19606 39 low-income homes · 1 bd: 34 · 2 bd: 5 · In service since 1996 · For older adults
- ST. Catherine Senior Housing HUD-assisted 2000 Perkiomen Ave, Reading 19606 35 low-income homes · For older adults · (610) 743-5374
- Elm View Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 350 Elm St, Reading 19601 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 1996 · For families
- Henner Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 24 E High St, Womelsdorf 19567 27 low-income homes · 1 bd: 27 · In service since 2007 · For older adults
- Knitting Mill on Peach Alley Tax credit (LIHTC) 239 Pine St, Hamburg 19526 27 low-income homes · 1 bd: 27 · In service since 2008 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Furnace Creek Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 270 S Freeman St, Robesonia 19551 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 1995 · For older adults
- Weidner Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 1135 Ben Franklin Hwy W, Douglassville 19518 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 1994 · For older adults
- Skyline View Apartments HUD-assisted 50 N 9th St, Reading 19601 120 homes, 20 low-income · (610) 376-6535
- Franklin & Noble Manor Tax credit (LIHTC) 43 E Noble Ave, Shoemakersville 19555 18 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · In service since 1997 · For older adults
- Century Hall Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 831 Walnut St, Reading 19601 15 low-income homes · 1 bd: 3 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2001 · For families
- Sunshine Homes Tax credit (LIHTC) Reading 19601 10 low-income homes · 3 bd: 10 · In service since 1999 · For families
- River Run Meadows HUD-assisted 190 Spring Grove Ct, Birdsboro 19508 53 homes, 5 low-income · (717) 396-0889
- Hamburg School HUD-assisted 690 State St, Hamburg 19526 47 homes, 3 low-income · (717) 291-1911
- Oakshire Senior Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 350 Lackawanna St, Reading 19601 90 homes
- Fleetwood Senior Housing Tax credit (LIHTC) 701 E Locust St, Fleetwood 19522 33 homes
- Goggle Works Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 110 N Second 101 Pear ST, Reading 19601 17 homes
One property has two programs at the same address and appears once. Search HUD's map
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Berks County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 2 agencies serve in Berks County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,500 | $35,750 | $57,200 |
| 2 people | $24,550 | $40,850 | $65,400 |
| 3 people | $27,600 | $45,950 | $73,550 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $51,050 | $81,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $55,150 | $88,250 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $59,250 | $94,800 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $63,350 | $101,350 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $67,400 | $107,850 |
Area median income: $102,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Reading, PA MSA. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $880 – $1,076
- 1 bedroom $1,003 – $1,225
- 2 bedrooms $1,276 – $1,560
- 3 bedrooms $1,570 – $1,918
- 4 bedrooms $1,689 – $2,065
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Reading Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 645 vouchers · 1,608 public housing units (610) 775-4813 Reading Housing Authority: skeppen@readingha.org
- Housing Authority of the County of Berks Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 711 vouchers · 209 public housing units (610) 370-0822 Housing Authority of the County of Berks: gbecker@berksha.org
Housing agencies in Pennsylvania Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Pennsylvania
What Pennsylvania law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- How much can they charge for a deposit?
- Up to 2 months of rent
- 68 P.S. §250.511a(a)-(b)
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- 68 P.S. §250.512(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 10 days
- 68 P.S. §250.501(b)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 15 days
- 68 P.S. §250.501(b)
- Only a court order can remove you68 P.S. §250.501 et seq.; 68 P.S. §399.1 et seq.
Help
Where to get help with rent in Berks County
This HUD-approved agency has an office in Berks County. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Berks Community Action Program, Inc.
645 Penn St, Reading · Spanish
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Homelessness services
- and 1 more
Rental assistance programs
The ones that serve in Berks County or the whole state, with what each page says about being open.
-
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Run by Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Pennsylvania yearly rebate for owners and renters 65 or older, widows and widowers 50 or older, and people with disabilities 18 or older, based on income
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Berks County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Pennsylvania, the average home bill was $145 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,836
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,418
- Security deposit
- $1,418
- Total
- $2,836
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Berks County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $978; 1 bedroom: $1,114; 2 bedrooms: $1,418; 3 bedrooms: $1,744; 4 bedrooms: $1,877. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Berks County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,418) without spending more than 30% of income takes $27.27 an hour full time, or $56,720 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Berks County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $51,050 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Berks County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,276 and $1,560 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Berks County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,420 in 17087 to $2,220 in 18011. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Berks County?
HUD lists 40 properties with homes for low-income households in Berks County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Berks County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Berks County, 52% of renter households are in that position; in Pennsylvania, 48%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).