Property Taxes in Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Median Ephrata, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 2.30%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Ephrata, Pennsylvania home value: $168,850
Median annual Ephrata, Pennsylvania tax bill: $3,854, higher by $1,454 than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lancaster calculated?
Property taxes in Ephrata, 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 Ephrata's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Ephrata, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Ephrata Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Ephrata property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Ephrata's median effective tax rate of 2.30% — based on actual property records in Lancaster County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local assessment system uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Ephrata'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 Ephrata: rates range from 2.30% in 17522 to 2.30% in 17522, 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 Ephrata.
About Ephrata Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Ephrata, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Ephrata’s median effective property tax rate of 2.30% is lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Lancaster 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 Ephrata. Homeowners in the 17522 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 2.30%, while the same ZIP also reflects the city’s median home price of $168,850 and median tax bill of $3,854. That bill is $1,454 higher than the Pennsylvania median tax bill. Understanding how your assessment fits local taxing jurisdictions can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Ephrata homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Lancaster County Tax Assessor before August 1, 2026.
If your estimated bill 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 Ephrata, Lancaster 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 Ephrata'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 Ephrata Tax Rate
2.30%
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 Lancaster County Tax Rate
2.21%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17522 | 1.99% | 2.29% | 2.30% | 2.40% | 2.40% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Ephrata, 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. The Lancaster County appraisal district 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 Lancaster County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the spring.
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 Ephrata.
For example, the median home price in Ephrata is $168,850, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 17522 has the highest median home price at $168,850.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$121,100
$191,200
$261,300
Median Ephrata Market Value
$168,850
Median Lancaster County Market Value
$177,600
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17522 | $63,470 | $126,000 | $168,850 | $214,400 | $273,130 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Property tax bills in Ephrata are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the market value of the property. The assessed value is the starting point for determining how much a homeowner owes each year, and it can change when a property is reassessed or when local tax rates shift.
For homeowners in Lancaster County, this means the tax bill depends on both the value of the home and the taxing jurisdictions that apply to it. A higher assessed value generally leads to a higher bill, while a lower assessment can reduce what is owed. With a median home price of $168,850, property taxes can have a meaningful impact on monthly housing costs and overall affordability.
In Ephrata, the median tax bill in ZIP code 17522 is $3,854, which is above the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Bills can vary widely, with the 25th percentile at $2,966 and the 75th percentile at $4,938.
Median Ephrata Tax Bill
$3,854
Median Lancaster County Tax Bill
$4,074
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Ephrata, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17522 | $1,519 | $2,966 | $3,854 | $4,938 | $6,209 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | August 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Lancaster Tax Assessor | |
| Website | lancasterpa.devnetwedge.com |