Pennsylvania housing costs at a glance
| Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Median home value (Zillow) | $291,000 |
| Average effective property tax | 1.14% |
| Typical rate for a new buyer (calculator default) | 1.4% |
| Average homeowners insurance ($300k dwelling) | $1,272 a year |
| 2026 conforming loan limit (one unit) | $832,750 |
Example: median-priced home
Pennsylvania home for $291,000, 20% down, 6.5% 30-year fixed: principal and interest $1,471 + property tax $340 + insurance $106 = about $1,917 a month. Enter your own rate quote and the actual tax rate of the property for a precise figure.
Pennsylvania property tax
Property tax in Pennsylvania is levied by the county, the municipality and – the largest part – the school district. The average effective rate is about 1.14% of home value, but it ranges from around 1% in Philadelphia to well over 2% in many suburbs of Pittsburgh and in parts of eastern Pennsylvania. Many counties have not reassessed for decades, so the tax on similar homes can differ a lot; ask for the actual tax bill of the property. Owners of a primary residence can apply for the homestead and farmstead exclusion, funded by gaming revenue, which lowers the school tax.
Other Pennsylvania costs
- Realty transfer tax: 1% to the state plus usually 1% to the municipality and school district (about 2% in total; over 4% in Philadelphia and more in some Pittsburgh-area towns). Buyer and seller customarily split it.
- Insurance: among the cheapest in the country, about $1,270 a year for $300,000 of dwelling coverage.
- See also the Pennsylvania paycheck calculator for the 3.07% income tax and local earned income tax.
Other states
See also the Pennsylvania paycheck calculator and mortgage costs in other states.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the realty transfer tax in Pennsylvania?
1% state tax plus, in most places, 1% local tax, so about 2% of the price, usually split between buyer and seller. Philadelphia's combined rate is over 4%.
What is the monthly payment on a median-priced Pennsylvania home?
On a $291,000 home with 20% down at 6.5%, principal and interest are about $1,471; with property tax at 1.4% and average insurance the total is about $1,920 a month.
Why are property taxes so different between Pennsylvania towns?
Most of the bill is school district tax, and many counties use assessments that are decades old, so rates and assessed values vary widely.
What is the Pennsylvania homestead exclusion?
A reduction of the assessed value of your primary residence for school taxes, funded by state gaming revenue; apply with your county assessment office.
For information only; not a loan offer. Property tax, insurance and closing costs depend on the specific property and lender.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – realty transfer tax
- FHFA – 2026 conforming loan limits
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024 – real estate taxes (via NAHB / Construction Coverage)
- Zillow Home Value Index
- Insurify – home insurance by state
Rules checked: October 2026