Property tax in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
The median property tax bill in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is $3,941 a year, which is about 1.41% of the county's median home value of $279,400. That effective rate is higher than the typical Pennsylvania county (1.29%) and higher than the national median (0.84%). These are Census figures; your own bill depends on your home's assessed value and any exemptions.
Property tax in Lancaster County at a glance
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median annual property tax | $3,941 |
| Median home value | $279,400 |
| Effective tax rate | 1.41% |
| Typical Pennsylvania county rate | 1.29% |
| National median county rate | 0.84% |
Effective rate = median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Lancaster County compare in Pennsylvania?
Among Pennsylvania's 67 counties, Lancaster County has the 22nd highest effective property-tax rate. It sits in the middle of the state's range. To see every Pennsylvania county ranked, see Pennsylvania property tax by county.
What the effective rate means
The effective rate here is the median tax bill divided by the median home value, which is the standard way to compare property taxes across places. It is not a rate you are billed directly. Your actual bill is your home's assessed value times the local millage rates set by the county, city, school district, and any special districts, minus exemptions you qualify for (such as a homestead exemption). Two homes of the same market value in the same county can owe different amounts.
Property tax is a state and local matter. For the state's income and retirement tax picture, see Pennsylvania income tax and Pennsylvania retirement taxes.
Sources
- Median real estate taxes paid and median home value for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2023), tables B25103 and B25077.