Pennsylvania Property Tax

Effective Property Tax Rate

134.76%

Median Annual Tax

$3,241

Median Home Value

$240,500

Pennsylvania Property Tax Overview

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Key Statistics (2026)

Metric	Value
Median home value (statewide)	$240,500
Effective property tax rate*	1.35 %
Median annual property tax	$3,241
Rank among states/territories (effective rate)	41 / 52
Difference from national average	+39.26 %

*The effective property tax rate is the ratio of the median annual tax bill to the median home value.

Source: According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) (5‑year estimates, 2023).

Example Tax Bills

Home value	Approximate annual Pennsylvania property tax
$250,000	$3,369
$500,000	$6,738

Calculations use the statewide effective rate of 1.35 % (1.35 % × home value).

Variation by County

Pennsylvania property tax rates are set at the local level. Each county, municipality, school district, and special taxing district can levy its own millage rates, resulting in noticeable differences across the state. For example:

Philadelphia County (city) – higher millage rates, often exceeding the state average.
Lancaster County – lower millage rates, sometimes below the statewide effective rate.

Prospective homeowners should consult the specific county assessor’s office or a reliable online tax calculator for the precise rate applicable to a given address.

Comparison to the National Average

National effective property tax rate (2026): 0.97 % (U.S. Census Bureau data).
Pennsylvania effective rate: 1.35 % → 39.26 % higher than the national average.

Pennsylvania’s rank of 41st places it among the higher‑tax states, though several states (e.g., New Jersey, Illinois) have higher effective rates.

Implications for Specific Groups

Retirees

Retirees often consider property taxes when evaluating overall cost of living. The higher effective rate in Pennsylvania means that, on a median‑priced home, the annual tax bill exceeds the national median by roughly $864. However, Pennsylvania offers several property tax relief programs for eligible seniors, such as the Senior Citizens' Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which can offset a portion of the liability. The net impact varies by county and individual eligibility.

Landlords

Landlords who own rental properties are responsible for the same property tax obligations as owner‑occupants. The higher effective rate translates into larger operating expenses relative to many other states. Because Pennsylvania does not impose a separate state‑level property tax on rental income, the primary tax consideration for landlords remains the property tax bill itself. Landlords should factor the 1.35 % rate into cash‑flow analyses and verify local millage rates for each rental unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
What is the average effective Pennsylvania property tax rate?	Based on the most recent ACS estimates, the average effective property tax rate in Pennsylvania is 1.35 % of home value.
How does Pennsylvania’s property tax compare to the national average?	Pennsylvania’s effective rate is 0.38 % points (39.26 %) higher than the national average of 0.97 %.
Do property tax rates differ by county?	Yes. Pennsylvania property tax rates are set by counties, municipalities, school districts, and special taxing districts, leading to variation across the state. Local assessor offices provide the specific rates for each jurisdiction.

All figures reflect the 2023 5‑year American Community Survey (ACS) estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Neighboring States