Property Taxes in State College, Pennsylvania
Median State College, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 3.24%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median State College, Pennsylvania home value: $126,720
Median annual State College, Pennsylvania tax bill: $4,369, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Centre County calculated?
Property taxes in State College, Pennsylvania are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding State College's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in State College, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the State College Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this State College property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies State College's median effective tax rate of 3.24% — based on actual property records in Centre County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies State College's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within State College: rates range from $4,341.00 in 16801 to $4,407.00 in 16803, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across State College.
About State College Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in State College, Centre, Pennsylvania
State College's median effective property tax rate of 3.24% is higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Centre County base levy combined with local school district levies and special taxing districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across State College. Homeowners in the 16803 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 3.48%, while those in 16801 pay 3.24%. This spread — 0.24 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Centre County. Understanding which part of State College you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
State College homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the August 1, 2026 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare State College's effective property tax rate to other cities in Pennsylvania and the median property tax rates in Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective State College Tax Rate
3.24%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Centre County Tax Rate
3.33%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16801 | 3.10% | 3.22% | 3.24% | 4.08% | 4.08% |
| 16803 | 3.10% | 3.10% | 3.48% | 3.48% | 4.08% |
| 16802 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in State College, Pennsylvania, understanding the distinction between market value and assessed value is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. Centre County estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices in Centre County are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill.
For example, the median home price in State College is $126,720, with tax bills ranging across the area. ZIP code 16803 has the highest median home price at $127,960. The median property tax bill is $4,369, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$21,230
$79,480
$137,730
Median State College Market Value
$126,720
Median Centre County Market Value
$95,980
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16801 | $48,990 | $80,820 | $124,700 | $173,260 | $233,060 |
| 16803 | $67,710 | $95,172 | $127,960 | $184,385 | $253,929 |
| 16802 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
Property tax bills in State College are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price. Local taxing authorities apply tax rates to that assessment to determine the bill, so two homes with similar market values can still owe different amounts if their assessed values differ. In Centre County, the median home price is $126,720, and the property tax burden is substantial compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
For many homeowners, the bill can vary widely depending on location and assessment details. The 25th percentile tax bill is $3,012, while the 75th percentile reaches $6,115, and the 90th percentile climbs to $8,202. Even within the city, median tax bills differ by ZIP code, with 16801 at $4,341 and 16803 at $4,407. These differences can affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability, making it important for homeowners to understand how their property is assessed and taxed.
Median State College Tax Bill
$4,369
Median Centre County Tax Bill
$3,294
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across State College, Centre County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16801 | $2,017 | $2,900 | $4,341 | $5,960 | $7,980 |
| 16803 | $2,338 | $3,204 | $4,407 | $6,399 | $8,434 |
| 16802 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | August 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Centre Tax Assessor | |
| Website | centrecountypa.gov |