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Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024

Pennsylvania Property Taxes

The average Pennsylvania homeowner pays $3,311 a year at an effective rate of 1.30%, 66% above the U.S. average. Compare 67 counties below.

$3,311
Avg median tax
1.30%
Effective rate
#12 of 51
U.S. rank (burden)
67
Counties

The verdict

The average Pennsylvania homeowner pays $3,311 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 1.30%, the #12 highest burden of 51 U.S. states.

$3,311
Average median tax, 2024
1.30%
Statewide effective rate
#12 of 51
U.S. states by tax burden
67
counties measured

Effective rate is the median property tax bill divided by the median home value ($254,500). U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024.

The average median property tax in Pennsylvania is $3,311/year, which is 66% above the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 1.30% on a median home value of $254,500. Taxes range from $1,145 in Forest County to $6,308 in Chester County.

What This Data Tells Us About Pennsylvania

The statewide average property tax in Pennsylvania is $3,311 per year, 66% above the national average of $1,993, based on Census ACS state-level estimates. The statewide effective rate of 1.30% on a median home value of $254,500 reflects how Pennsylvania's assessment rules and local millage combine at the household level; the 67 counties below show how that varies locally.

Within Pennsylvania, median annual tax ranges from $1,145 in Forest County (effective rate 0.99%) to $6,308 in Chester County (effective rate 1.30%). Median home values in Pennsylvania ($254,500) compared with $227,791 nationally help explain why the same effective rate produces different dollar bills in different states. Within-state variation often tracks local school levies, county bonds, and municipal overlays rather than a single statewide rate.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau, individual bills can differ based on assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Always confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making decisions that rely on these numbers.

State Average vs National Average

Median Annual Tax
$3,311
+66% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$254,500
+12% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
1.30%
+41% vs US avg

How Pennsylvania compares

Average effective property tax rate vs the national average, ACS 2024.

Pennsylvania 1.30%
U.S. average 0.92%

Pennsylvania has a higher effective property tax rate than 78% of U.S. states, ranking #12 of 51 for property tax burden.

Tax Affordability Score

4.5
Moderate

Based on the average effective tax rate of 1.30% compared to the national average of 0.92%. Pennsylvania has property tax rates near the national average.

Very Expensive Very Affordable

How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale derived mechanically from the ratio of this state's average effective rate to the national average effective rate (0.92%) - a ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, a ratio at or above 2.0× scores 1, with a linear scale between. It is a factual comparison of Census figures only, not a recommendation, quality rating, or endorsement of Pennsylvania or any other state.

All Counties in Pennsylvania (67)

County (by tax bill) Median taxEff. rateHome value
Chester County $6,308 1.30% $485,600
Delaware County $6,124 1.84% $332,200
Montgomery County $5,875 1.35% $436,700
Bucks County $5,826 1.31% $445,700
Northampton County $4,700 1.52% $308,600
Lehigh County $4,651 1.55% $300,400
Monroe County $4,447 1.66% $267,600
Berks County $4,239 1.65% $257,300
York County $4,006 1.61% $248,600
Lancaster County $3,975 1.32% $301,100
Adams County $3,561 1.33% $268,500
Pike County $3,542 1.30% $272,600
Allegheny County $3,451 1.52% $227,600
Centre County $3,386 1.05% $323,500
Lebanon County $3,310 1.37% $242,000
Cumberland County $3,254 1.17% $277,600
Dauphin County $3,198 1.35% $236,400
Carbon County $3,088 1.46% $211,400
Wayne County $3,039 1.26% $242,100
Lackawanna County $3,012 1.49% $201,800
Butler County $2,970 1.01% $294,200
Perry County $2,859 1.21% $236,400
Erie County $2,830 1.60% $177,000
Wyoming County $2,817 1.31% $215,400
Union County $2,744 1.14% $240,100
Franklin County $2,740 1.10% $249,800
Beaver County $2,704 1.42% $190,900
Lycoming County $2,649 1.31% $202,200
Luzerne County $2,530 1.45% $174,100
Montour County $2,507 1.01% $248,100
Westmoreland County $2,501 1.23% $203,500
Washington County $2,485 1.09% $228,500
Snyder County $2,388 1.11% $215,300
Susquehanna County $2,365 1.09% $216,400
Indiana County $2,297 1.50% $152,800
Columbia County $2,286 1.11% $206,200
Mifflin County $2,266 1.45% $156,700
Armstrong County $2,161 1.37% $157,300
Juniata County $2,147 0.99% $217,000
Schuylkill County $2,140 1.40% $153,000
Fulton County $2,120 1.02% $208,500
Tioga County $2,078 1.15% $181,100
Crawford County $2,064 1.35% $153,200
Clinton County $2,046 1.16% $175,900
Bradford County $2,044 1.09% $187,500
Sullivan County $2,015 1.02% $197,100
Philadelphia County $2,003 0.82% $243,100
Lawrence County $1,967 1.34% $147,200
Greene County $1,960 1.27% $153,900
Mercer County $1,936 1.18% $164,000
Potter County $1,857 1.21% $153,100
Northumberland County $1,794 1.10% $162,400
Blair County $1,724 1.07% $161,100
Huntingdon County $1,718 0.94% $183,200
Elk County $1,697 1.27% $133,600
Warren County $1,687 1.32% $127,500
McKean County $1,660 1.59% $104,500
Fayette County $1,607 1.12% $143,200
Venango County $1,520 1.27% $119,800
Clarion County $1,503 0.97% $155,700
Clearfield County $1,500 1.09% $137,000
Cambria County $1,492 1.23% $121,000
Somerset County $1,477 0.98% $150,600
Bedford County $1,444 0.81% $179,000
Cameron County $1,414 1.59% $88,900
Jefferson County $1,402 1.00% $139,700
Forest County $1,145 0.99% $115,300

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average property tax in Pennsylvania?
The average median property tax paid in Pennsylvania is $3,311 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 1.30%.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania property taxes are 66% above the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $3,311 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
Which county in Pennsylvania has the lowest property taxes?
Forest County has the lowest median property tax in Pennsylvania at $1,145 per year with an effective rate of 0.99%. The highest is Chester County at $6,308.
How are property taxes calculated?
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
What is the median home value in Pennsylvania?
The median home value across Pennsylvania is $254,500, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
Can I appeal my property taxes in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Every Pennsylvania homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.

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PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for Pennsylvania. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-09.