Property Taxes in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Median Shippensburg, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 1.73%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Shippensburg, Pennsylvania home value: $161,900
Median annual Shippensburg, Pennsylvania tax bill: $2,942, $542 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Cumberland calculated?
Property taxes in Shippensburg, 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 Shippensburg's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Shippensburg, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Shippensburg Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Shippensburg property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Shippensburg's median effective tax rate of 1.73% — based on actual property records in Cumberland County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment office uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Shippensburg'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 Shippensburg: rates are 2.942% in 17257, 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 Shippensburg.
About Shippensburg Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Shippensburg, Cumberland, Pennsylvania
Shippensburg's median effective property tax rate of 1.73% is lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Cumberland 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 Shippensburg. Homeowners in the 17257 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.73%, while those in the lowest ZIP pay 1.73%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Cumberland County. Understanding which part of Shippensburg you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Shippensburg homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the 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 Shippensburg, Cumberland 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 Shippensburg's effective property tax rate to other cities in Pennsylvania and the median property tax rates in Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Property Tax Rates Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
1.50%
1.85%
2.19%
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 Shippensburg Tax Rate
1.73%
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 Cumberland County Tax Rate
2.06%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17257 | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.93% | 2.03% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Shippensburg, 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. Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Shippensburg.
For example, the median home price in Shippensburg is $161,900, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 17257 has the highest median home price at $161,900.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$115,100
$183,775
$252,450
Median Shippensburg Market Value
$161,900
Median Cumberland County Market Value
$184,500
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17257 | $46,550 | $120,275 | $161,900 | $216,500 | $266,500 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Property tax bills in Shippensburg are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the property’s market value and any exemptions or deductions that may apply. With a median home price of $161,900, the tax bill can vary widely depending on the assessed value and the taxing jurisdictions that apply to the property.
For many homeowners, the bill reflects more than just the home itself. School, county, and municipal taxes all contribute to the total, so two similar homes can still receive different bills if their assessments or locations differ. In Shippensburg, the median property tax bill is $2,942, while bills can range from $2,190 at the 25th percentile to $3,862 at the 75th percentile and $4,757 at the 90th percentile.
These taxes affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability, making it important for homeowners to understand how their bill is determined.
Property Tax Bills Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$2,422
$3,357
$4,291
Median Shippensburg Tax Bill
$2,942
Median Cumberland County Tax Bill
$3,586
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17257 | $829 | $2,190 | $2,942 | $3,862 | $4,757 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | September 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Cumberland Tax Assessor | |
| Website | gis.ccpa.net |