Property taxes in Greater Pittsburgh can vary by thousands of dollars a year between neighboring communities, so they belong in every home search. Here is how they work and what homeowners actually pay.
How Pennsylvania property taxes are calculated
Your bill is your home’s assessed value multiplied by the combined millage rate of three taxing bodies: the county, your municipality and your school district. One mill is $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. School taxes are usually the largest part of the bill.
- Allegheny County set its county rate at 6.43 mills for 2025 and 2026.
- Municipal and school district rates are set locally each year, which is why two homes at the same price can have very different bills.
- Butler and Westmoreland Counties (Cranberry, Murrysville, North Huntingdon, Irwin) use their own assessments and rates.
What homeowners pay: median annual taxes by community
Median annual property taxes reported on recent single-family sales in the West Penn Multi-List, November 2025 through October 2026:
| Community | Median annual taxes | Median sale price |
|---|---|---|
| Fox Chapel | $15,987 | $985K |
| Shadyside | $11,354 | $580K |
| Warrendale | $10,595 | $607K |
| Upper St. Clair | $9,390 | $472K |
| Wexford | $8,322 | $529K |
| Sewickley | $7,606 | $475K |
| Mount Lebanon | $7,094 | $439K |
| Regent Square | $6,962 | $430K |
| East Liberty | $6,508 | $614K |
| Edgewood | $6,499 | $343K |
| Squirrel Hill | $5,792 | $524K |
| Murrysville | $5,733 | $381K |
| Cranberry Township | $5,587 | $450K |
| Oakmont | $5,537 | $396K |
| Bethel Park | $5,340 | $314K |
| Moon Township | $5,213 | $335K |
| Downtown & Strip District | $5,000 | $372K |
| Robinson Township | $4,861 | $374K |
| Plum | $4,209 | $265K |
| Forest Hills | $4,168 | $235K |
| Monroeville | $4,025 | $260K |
| West Mifflin | $3,474 | $182K |
| North Shore & North Side | $3,423 | $435K |
| Penn Hills | $2,980 | $185K |
| North Huntingdon | $2,978 | $268K |
| South Side | $2,909 | $258K |
| Verona | $2,712 | $205K |
| Oakland | $2,662 | $292K |
| Irwin | $2,481 | $245K |
| Lawrenceville | $2,417 | $410K |
| North Versailles | $2,410 | $160K |
| Bloomfield | $2,227 | $325K |
| Mount Washington | $1,512 | $283K |
Source: West Penn Multi-List closed sales, 11/1/2025–10/31/2026. Taxes as reported in the listing; some city figures include all home types. Always confirm the current bill for a specific property.
Ways to lower your bill
- Homestead exclusion (Act 1): owner-occupants can apply through their county to reduce the taxable assessment for school taxes. Apply as soon as you move in.
- Senior and income-based programs: Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program and county senior discounts can help eligible homeowners.
- Assessment appeals: if your assessment is out of line with what similar homes sell for, you can appeal during the county’s annual appeal window. Recent comparable sales are your best evidence, and we’re happy to pull them for you.
Other local taxes to know
City of Pittsburgh residents pay a 3% local earned income tax, while most suburbs charge 0.5% to 2%. When you buy, you’ll also pay part of the realty transfer tax: 5% total inside the city and usually 2% in the suburbs, typically split with the seller. Read more in our transfer tax guide.
Questions? Call The EZ Home Network at 724-933-8500. We show the actual tax bill on every home before you make an offer.
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice.