Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Property Taxes
Median Bear Creek, PA effective property tax rate: 2.53%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, but lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.81%.
Median Bear Creek, PA home value: $227,300
Median annual Bear Creek, PA tax bill: $5,725, $3,325 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Luzerne calculated?
Property taxes in Bear Creek, 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 Bear Creek’s property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Bear Creek, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.53%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,751
$5,336
Property Tax Rates Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Local government entities in Pennsylvania set tax rates, which can vary widely across the state. Each county estimates its required budget for public services annually and divides it by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. While votes and laws play a role in determining these rates and budgets, this is essentially the annual process.
Bear Creek in Luzerne County exemplifies the variability within Pennsylvania, with an effective property tax rate of 2.53%. This rate is notably higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Pennsylvania's median property tax bill also tends to be higher than the national median of $2,400, reflecting the state's generally elevated tax rates.
Understanding these differences is crucial for property owners looking to manage their tax liabilities effectively. By comparing Bear Creek's property tax rate to those in other cities and the median rates in Pennsylvania and the U.S., property owners can gain valuable insights into their tax obligations and explore potential appeal or exemption opportunities to reduce their tax burden.
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 Bear Creek Tax Rate
2.53%
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 Luzerne County Tax Rate
2.52%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.81%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18602 | 2.53% | 2.53% | 2.53% | 2.53% | 2.53% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Bear Creek, 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 Luzerne 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.
In Luzerne County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. 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 Bear Creek. For example, the median home price in Bear Creek is $227,300, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Zip code 18602 has the highest median home price at $227,300.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell

$47,550
$137,425
$227,300
Median Bear Creek Market Value
$227,300
Median Luzerne County Market Value
$93,900
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$114,400
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18602 | $134,800 | $174,550 | $227,300 | $330,450 | $405,000 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Median Bear Creek Tax Bill
$5,725
Median Luzerne County Tax Bill
$2,646
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,063
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Bear Creek, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18602 | $3,281 | $4,325 | $5,725 | $8,244 | $10,261 |
Source: Ownwell