Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Property Taxes

Name: Property Tax Bills Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Creator: Ownwell
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Median Bethlehem, PA effective property tax rate: 2.82%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but slightly higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.81%.
Median Bethlehem, PA home value: $146,900
Median annual Bethlehem, PA tax bill: $4,130, $1,730 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

How are property taxes in Lehigh calculated?

Property taxes in Bethlehem, PA 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 Bethlehem’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Bethlehem, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.

Last Updated March 1, 2025

Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

2.82%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$4,143

$3,844

Ownwell’s Bethlehem Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Bethlehem with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Bethlehem’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a precise calculation for your property tax obligations. This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Lehigh. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!

Property Tax Rates Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. This is 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.

Bethlehem in Lehigh County, PA, has an effective property tax rate of 2.82%, which is notably higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This places a substantial tax burden on property owners compared to the national average. Within Bethlehem, the highest median tax rate is 2.85% in the 18015 zip code, while the lowest is 2.82% in the 18018 zip code. Comparing these figures to the state and national medians highlights the significant variance in property tax rates across different regions. Such disparities underscore the importance of understanding local tax obligations and exploring potential avenues for appeal or exemption to manage these costs effectively.

Property Tax Rates Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Source: Ownwell

2.03%

3.00%

3.97%

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 Bethlehem Tax Rate

2.82%

Median Effective Lehigh County Tax Rate

2.78%

Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate

2.81%

Median Effective United States Tax Rate

1.02%

Property Tax Rates Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Rate	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
18015	2.24%	2.24%	2.85%	2.85%	2.85%
18017	2.81%	2.81%	2.82%	2.82%	2.82%
18018	2.81%	2.81%	2.81%	2.82%	2.82%
18020	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

When examining property taxes in Bethlehem, PA, 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 Lehigh County assessment office 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 Lehigh County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. 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 Bethlehem. For example, the median home price in Bethlehem is $146,900, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 18015 has the highest median home price at $180,600.

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Source: Ownwell

$58,200

$170,400

$282,600

Median Bethlehem Market Value

$146,900

Median Lehigh County Market Value

$166,200

Median Pennsylvania Market Value

$114,400

Median United States Market Value

$235,294

Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Home Price	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
18015	$107,190	$137,100	$180,600	$264,650	$439,600
18017	$107,800	$108,500	$122,900	$144,600	$168,380
18018	$102,600	$120,500	$142,500	$170,400	$204,560
18020	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

Property Tax Bills Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

In Bethlehem, Lehigh County, PA, property tax bills are determined by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate. The assessed value is a percentage of the property's market value, and local authorities set the tax rate. Bethlehem's property tax bills can vary significantly, with a median home price of $146,900. Homeowners in the 25th percentile might pay around $3,415, while those in the 75th percentile could face bills up to $5,002, and the 90th percentile reaches $6,257. Comparatively, the national median property tax bill is $2,400, making Bethlehem's rates notably higher. The highest median tax bill in Bethlehem is $4,922 in the 18015 zip code, while the lowest is $3,474 in the 18017 zip code. These high tax bills can strain homeowners' finances. Ownwell offers property tax appeal and exemption services, potentially helping homeowners reduce their tax burdens. By analyzing property assessments and market values, Ownwell identifies opportunities for savings, providing expert guidance to ensure fair taxation.

Property Tax Bills Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Source: Ownwell

$1,866

$3,944

$6,022

Median Bethlehem Tax Bill

$4,130

Median Lehigh County Tax Bill

$4,452

Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill

$3,063

Median United States Tax Bill

$2,400

Property Tax Bills Across Bethlehem, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Zip	10th Percentile	25th Percentile	Median Tax Bill	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
18015	$3,045	$3,858	$4,922	$6,791	$10,796
18017	$3,035	$3,054	$3,474	$4,087	$4,773
18018	$2,888	$3,389	$4,009	$4,791	$5,739
18020	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell