Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $3,649/yr
- Without mortgage
- $2,819/yr
- Gap
- $830
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
Pennsylvania Property Taxes
The average Pennsylvania homeowner pays $3,311 a year at an effective rate of 1.30%. That bill is 66% above the U.S. median bill. Compare 67 counties below.
- $3,311
- Avg median tax
- 1.30%
- Effective rate
- #12 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 67
- Counties
Pennsylvania homeowners pay a median of $3,311 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 1.30%, the 12th-highest burden of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median Pennsylvania homeowner pays $3,311 a year on a home worth $254,500, an effective rate of 1.30%. The bill runs 66% above the $1,993 national median. County medians range $1,145 (Forest County) to $6,308 (Chester County) across 67 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in Pennsylvania run from $1,145 in Forest County to $6,308 (Chester County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $1,145–$6,308 (Chester County)
- County median-bill range
- 1.32%
- Home-weighted county rate
- 47%
- Homes in the eight largest counties
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
Collector rank · FY2024
Pennsylvania is a top-tier collector of U.S. state-and-local property tax
#7 of 51 · 3.3% of U.S. collections
In Census FY2024, Pennsylvania's state and local governments collected $23.6B in property tax - 3.3% of the U.S. total (#7 of 51).
Spread across 3,656,971 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $6,442 per home - 1.9× the ACS median homeowner bill of $3,311. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
- Massachusetts at 3.17% U.S. share (nearly level)
- Virginia at 2.79% U.S. share (lower)
- Ohio at 2.76% U.S. share (lower)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in Pennsylvania
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for Pennsylvania from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 3.0%
- With mortgage
- 1.7%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 1,536,735
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.81% in Bedford County to 1.84% in Delaware County - a 1.03 percentage-point gap across 67 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
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 (Chester County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in Pennsylvania
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
County bills span a wide range
Across 67 measured counties, the published median runs from $1,145 in Forest County to $6,308 (Chester County). Local school levies, county bonds, municipal overlays, and assessment practice create this within-state spread.
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 with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
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
Rate-band peers near Pennsylvania
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so Pennsylvania's 1.30% rate is read against real neighbors such as Kansas and Ohio.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs Pennsylvania | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas Also open Kansas for county spread | 1.29% | Kansas nearly matches Pennsylvania | $2,798 |
| Ohio Also open Ohio for county spread | 1.31% | Ohio nearly matches Pennsylvania | $2,822 |
| Michigan Also open Michigan for county spread | 1.25% | Michigan nearly matches Pennsylvania | $2,904 |
| Iowa Also open Iowa for county spread | 1.39% | Iowa runs 0.09 pts above Pennsylvania | $2,897 |
| Rhode Island Also open Rhode Island for county spread | 1.21% | Rhode Island runs 0.09 pts below Pennsylvania | $4,900 |
| Wisconsin Also open Wisconsin for county spread | 1.42% | Wisconsin runs 0.12 pts above Pennsylvania | $3,792 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for Pennsylvania, excluding Pennsylvania itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. Pennsylvania: 1.30%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. Pennsylvania: $3,311/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where Pennsylvania sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where Pennsylvania sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
1.30% more affordable than 22% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
Pennsylvania has a higher effective property tax rate than 78% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #12 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Kansas (1.29%, nearly level); Ohio (1.31%, nearly level); Michigan (1.25%, nearly level).
What Pennsylvania's biggest counties actually charge
Effective rate in the eight Pennsylvania counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 47% of the state's. ACS 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.
Pennsylvania's median county rate is 1.30%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical Pennsylvania homeowner faces is 1.32%, close to the plain median, so Pennsylvania's larger counties are not unusual for the state.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
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 from Pennsylvania's 1.30% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Kansas and Ohio before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in Pennsylvania by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 67 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester County | $6,308 | 1.30% | $485,600 |
| 2 | Delaware County | $6,124 | 1.84% | $332,200 |
| 3 | Montgomery County | $5,875 | 1.35% | $436,700 |
| 4 | Bucks County | $5,826 | 1.31% | $445,700 |
| 5 | Northampton County | $4,700 | 1.52% | $308,600 |
| 6 | Lehigh County | $4,651 | 1.55% | $300,400 |
| 7 | Monroe County | $4,447 | 1.66% | $267,600 |
| 8 | Berks County | $4,239 | 1.65% | $257,300 |
| 9 | York County | $4,006 | 1.61% | $248,600 |
| 10 | Lancaster County | $3,975 | 1.32% | $301,100 |
| 11 | Adams County | $3,561 | 1.33% | $268,500 |
| 12 | Pike County | $3,542 | 1.30% | $272,600 |
| 13 | Allegheny County | $3,451 | 1.52% | $227,600 |
| 14 | Centre County | $3,386 | 1.05% | $323,500 |
| 15 | Lebanon County | $3,310 | 1.37% | $242,000 |
| 16 | Cumberland County | $3,254 | 1.17% | $277,600 |
| 17 | Dauphin County | $3,198 | 1.35% | $236,400 |
| 18 | Carbon County | $3,088 | 1.46% | $211,400 |
| 19 | Wayne County | $3,039 | 1.26% | $242,100 |
| 20 | Lackawanna County | $3,012 | 1.49% | $201,800 |
| 21 | Butler County | $2,970 | 1.01% | $294,200 |
| 22 | Perry County | $2,859 | 1.21% | $236,400 |
| 23 | Erie County | $2,830 | 1.60% | $177,000 |
| 24 | Wyoming County | $2,817 | 1.31% | $215,400 |
| 25 | Union County | $2,744 | 1.14% | $240,100 |
| 26 | Franklin County | $2,740 | 1.10% | $249,800 |
| 27 | Beaver County | $2,704 | 1.42% | $190,900 |
| 28 | Lycoming County | $2,649 | 1.31% | $202,200 |
| 29 | Luzerne County | $2,530 | 1.45% | $174,100 |
| 30 | Montour County | $2,507 | 1.01% | $248,100 |
| 31 | Westmoreland County | $2,501 | 1.23% | $203,500 |
| 32 | Washington County | $2,485 | 1.09% | $228,500 |
| 33 | Snyder County | $2,388 | 1.11% | $215,300 |
| 34 | Susquehanna County | $2,365 | 1.09% | $216,400 |
| 35 | Indiana County | $2,297 | 1.50% | $152,800 |
| 36 | Columbia County | $2,286 | 1.11% | $206,200 |
| 37 | Mifflin County | $2,266 | 1.45% | $156,700 |
| 38 | Armstrong County | $2,161 | 1.37% | $157,300 |
| 39 | Juniata County | $2,147 | 0.99% | $217,000 |
| 40 | Schuylkill County | $2,140 | 1.40% | $153,000 |
| 41 | Fulton County | $2,120 | 1.02% | $208,500 |
| 42 | Tioga County | $2,078 | 1.15% | $181,100 |
| 43 | Crawford County | $2,064 | 1.35% | $153,200 |
| 44 | Clinton County | $2,046 | 1.16% | $175,900 |
| 45 | Bradford County | $2,044 | 1.09% | $187,500 |
| 46 | Sullivan County | $2,015 | 1.02% | $197,100 |
| 47 | Philadelphia County | $2,003 | 0.82% | $243,100 |
| 48 | Lawrence County | $1,967 | 1.34% | $147,200 |
| 49 | Greene County | $1,960 | 1.27% | $153,900 |
| 50 | Mercer County | $1,936 | 1.18% | $164,000 |
| 51 | Potter County | $1,857 | 1.21% | $153,100 |
| 52 | Northumberland County | $1,794 | 1.10% | $162,400 |
| 53 | Blair County | $1,724 | 1.07% | $161,100 |
| 54 | Huntingdon County | $1,718 | 0.94% | $183,200 |
| 55 | Elk County | $1,697 | 1.27% | $133,600 |
| 56 | Warren County | $1,687 | 1.32% | $127,500 |
| 57 | McKean County | $1,660 | 1.59% | $104,500 |
| 58 | Fayette County | $1,607 | 1.12% | $143,200 |
| 59 | Venango County | $1,520 | 1.27% | $119,800 |
| 60 | Clarion County | $1,503 | 0.97% | $155,700 |
| 61 | Clearfield County | $1,500 | 1.09% | $137,000 |
| 62 | Cambria County | $1,492 | 1.23% | $121,000 |
| 63 | Somerset County | $1,477 | 0.98% | $150,600 |
| 64 | Bedford County | $1,444 | 0.81% | $179,000 |
| 65 | Cameron County | $1,414 | 1.59% | $88,900 |
| 66 | Jefferson County | $1,402 | 1.00% | $139,700 |
| 67 | Forest County | $1,145 | 0.99% | $115,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
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 large is Pennsylvania's share of U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, Pennsylvania's state and local governments collected $23.6B in property tax - 3.3% of the U.S. total (#7 of 51). Spread across 3,656,971 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $6,442 per home - 1.9× the ACS median homeowner bill of $3,311. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in Pennsylvania? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $3,649/yr versus $2,819 for owners without a mortgage, a $830 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
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.
What share of Pennsylvania owners report paying no property tax? ▼
3.0% of owner-occupied homes in Pennsylvania report zero property tax on the ACS survey (1.7% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
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.
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.
What to do with Pennsylvania's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- Pennsylvania's ACS 2024 median bill is $3,311/yr at 1.30% (66% above the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside Pennsylvania, Forest County posts the lowest median bill at $1,145/yr; Chester County is highest at $6,308/yr. Open Forest County
- Estimate a parcel bill at Pennsylvania's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 67 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
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 2026-08-09.