Greater Boston · Town guide
Living in North Reading, MA.
A mostly single-family town north of Boston between Reading, Andover and Lynnfield, with the Ipswich River, Martins Pond, and access to I-93 and Route 28.
North Reading at a glance
- Median single-family
- $1,050,000
- ▲ 16.5% vs. last year
- Median condo
- $611,498
- ▲ 22.6% vs. last year
- Days on market
- 30
- single-family, year to date
- Sale vs. original list
- 100.9%
- single-family, year to date
- Residential tax rate
- $13.02
- per $1,000, FY2026
- Population
- 16,379
- 2024 Census estimate, +5.4% since 2020
- To Boston
- 15 mi
- straight line to City Hall
- MBTA rail & ferry
- No MBTA rail station in town
North Reading market · September 2026 year to date
The numbers, before the opinions.
| Measure | Single-family | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $1,050,000 | $611,498 |
| Change vs. last year | ▲ 16.5% | ▲ 22.6% |
| Sales closed | 97 | 62 |
| Median days on market | 30 | 49 |
| Sale price vs. original list | 100.9% | 97.8% |
| For sale at month end | 24 | 19 |
| Months of supply | 2.1 | 2.9 |
Source: Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, North Reading Local Market Update (PDF, opens in a new tab) (MLS PIN data). Year-to-date figures except homes for sale and months of supply, which are for the latest month. A town median is a starting point; the right price is street by street.
What the numbers mean
Buying or selling in North Reading?
By the usual rule of thumb (under about four months of supply favors sellers, over six favors buyers), the North Reading single-family market was seller-leaning, with 2.1 months of supply in the latest MAR report and homes selling for 100.9% of original list price on average. Individual streets, price ranges and property types can behave very differently.
If you're selling in North Reading
- Single-family homes in North Reading have sold for 100.9% of their original list price on average this year. Well-priced homes are drawing full price or better, so the opening price matters more than room to negotiate.
- The median single-family home took about 30 days to sell. Plan your next move around that, plus about 30 to 60 days to close.
If you're buying in North Reading
- Expect competition on the best homes in North Reading: the average single-family sold at 100.9% of original list. Have your pre-approval, inspection plan and walk-away number ready before you tour.
- With a median of about 30 days on market, you'll usually have time for a second showing, but not forever.
- Condos in North Reading had a median of $611,498 versus $1,050,000 for single-families. If the single-family budget is a stretch, a condo or a two-family can be a way in.
Side by side · September 2026 year to date
How does North Reading compare with nearby towns?
| Town | Median single-family | Median condo | Days on market | Tax rate (FY2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Reading | $1,050,000 ▲ 16.5% | $611,498 | 30 | $13.02 |
| Lynnfield | $1,150,000 ▲ 5.8% | $667,500 | 29 | $11.46 |
| Middleton | $1,050,000 ▼ 5.8% | $707,500 | 54 | $12.59 |
| Reading | $985,000 ▲ 7.7% | $622,500 | 24 | $10.96 |
| Wakefield | $865,000 ▲ 1.8% | $651,000 | 30 | $11.74 |
| Wilmington | $795,000 ▲ 3.9% | $642,500 | 28 | $11.41 |
Year-to-date medians from each town's MAR Local Market Update; tax rates per $1,000 from the Mass. Division of Local Services. Nearby = closest town centers among the towns I cover.
Town guide
What it's like to live in North Reading.
What is it like to live in North Reading?
North Reading is a residential town north of Boston, quieter and more wooded than its neighbors Reading and Wilmington. It has a historic common, the Ipswich River running through town, and a good deal of conservation land.
What are North Reading's neighborhoods like?
A quick orientation, not a ranking:
| Area | What it's like | Worth a look if you want |
|---|---|---|
| The town common area | Historic center near Route 62 | A classic New England center |
| Martins Pond area | Homes near the pond in the northern part of town | A pond setting |
| Subdivisions off Route 28 and Route 62 | Capes, ranches, colonials and newer homes | Easier highway access |
What does housing look like in North Reading?
Mostly single-family, with some condo and townhouse communities and over-55 options. Many homes date from the mid-1900s onward.
How is the commute from North Reading to Boston?
No train station in town; Reading and Wilmington stations are nearby. I-93 is reachable via Route 62 and Route 125, and Route 28 runs north-south through town.
Where do people spend time in North Reading?
- The Ipswich River, for paddling
- Martins Pond
- Conservation land and trails
What should buyers and sellers know about North Reading?
- Competitive market: homes have been selling above original list, with low supply.
- Sewer versus septic: many homes use septic. Confirm for the property.
- Tax rate: compare with neighboring towns using the table above.
For public school information, see the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's school and district profiles (North Reading Public Schools).
Questions people actually ask.
Does North Reading have a commuter rail station?
No. Nearby stations include Reading and Wilmington.
Is North Reading on town sewer?
Many homes use septic systems. Check the specific property.
Mortgage rates · week of October 15, 2026
What today's rate means for your payment in North Reading.
The average 30-year fixed rate this week is 7.40%. On North Reading's median single-family price of $1,050,000 with 20% down (a $840,000 loan), here's the monthly principal and interest, and how much a rate move changes it.
| Scenario | 30-year rate | Principal & interest | vs. this week |
|---|---|---|---|
| A year ago | 6.27% | $5,180/mo | −$630/mo |
| This week | 7.40% | $5,820/mo | |
| If rates rise half a point | 7.90% | $6,110/mo | +$290/mo |
| If rates fall half a point | 6.90% | $5,530/mo | −$280/mo |
| If rates fall a full point | 6.40% | $5,250/mo | −$560/mo |
Rate source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (opens in a new tab), national weekly average. Principal and interest only; taxes, insurance and any condo fees are extra (use the calculator below). Your actual rate depends on your credit, loan type and points. Ask a lender for a quote, or ask me for an introduction.
Monthly cost calculator
What would a North Reading home cost per month?
Pre-filled with North Reading's median single-family price, its FY2026 tax rate and this week's average 30-year mortgage rate. Change anything. This is an estimate for planning, not a loan quote.
How I help in North Reading
Three ways to start.
Buy in North Reading
What homes here actually sell for, what they cost to own, and an offer strategy you can defend.
Buying with XavierSell in North Reading
A price grounded in North Reading sales, a plan for what to fix, and a clear read on every offer.
Get a home valuationInvest in North Reading
Two- and three-families run as numbers: rents, expenses, financing, and condition.
Multifamily & investingQuick answers about North Reading.
What is the median home price in North Reading, MA?
The median single-family sale price in North Reading was $1,050,000 for September 2026 year to date, compared with $901,000 for the same period a year earlier. The median condo sold for $611,498. Source: Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MLS PIN data).
How fast are homes selling in North Reading?
Single-family homes that sold in North Reading during September 2026 year to date spent a median of about 30 days on market and sold for 100.9% of their original list price on average, according to MAR.
What is the property tax rate in North Reading, MA?
North Reading's FY2026 residential property tax rate is $13.02 per $1,000 of assessed value (Massachusetts Division of Local Services). On a home assessed at the median single-family sale price, that's roughly $13,670 a year; your actual bill depends on the assessed value.
Is it a buyer's or seller's market in North Reading, MA?
By the usual rule of thumb (under about four months of supply favors sellers, over six favors buyers), the North Reading single-family market was seller-leaning, with 2.1 months of supply in the latest MAR report and homes selling for 100.9% of original list price on average. Individual streets, price ranges and property types can behave very differently.
Is there a train from North Reading to Boston?
There's no MBTA rail station in North Reading. It's about 15 miles from Boston in a straight line; most residents drive or use a station in a nearby town.
MLS listings
North Reading homes for sale right now.
Active and coming-soon listings in North Reading, through my Ruuster home search. Save a search to hear about new ones as they come on.
Search provided by Ruuster via HomeBase. Open the full North Reading search in a new tab (opens in a new tab). Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Buying or selling here?
Interested in North Reading?
Tell me what you're weighing: a street, a price range, a timeline. I'll send the recent sales that matter and what I'd watch for in North Reading specifically.
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Sources: market figures, Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®, Local Market Update (data: MLS PIN; © ShowingTime Plus); tax rate, Massachusetts Division of Local Services, Municipal Databank, Tax Rates by Class; population, U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates for cities and towns; stations, MBTA (V3 API); distance, OpenStreetMap Nominatim (town center); miles are straight-line to Boston City Hall. Numbers retrieved 2026-10-21.