Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Median Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 16.61%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%, and higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania home value: $66,500
Median annual Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania tax bill: $8,688, $6,288 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Luzerne calculated?
Property taxes in Wilkes Barre, 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 Wilkes Barre's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Wilkes Barre, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
16.61%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$11,046
$10,250
How Does the Wilkes Barre Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Wilkes Barre property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Wilkes Barre's median effective tax rate of 16.61% — based on actual property records in Luzerne County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Wilkes Barre'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 Wilkes Barre: rates range from $1,764.00 in 18706 to $1,764.00 in 18706, 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 Wilkes Barre.
About Wilkes Barre Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre’s median effective property tax rate of 16.61% is higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Luzerne 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 Wilkes Barre. Homeowners in ZIP code 18706 carry a median effective rate of 3.00%, while those in 18706 pay 3.00%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Luzerne County. Understanding which part of Wilkes Barre you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes Barre, Luzerne 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 Wilkes Barre'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 Wilkes Barre Tax Rate
16.61%
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
2.60%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18706 | 2.63% | 2.75% | 3.00% | 3.06% | 3.11% |
| 18701 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18702 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18704 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18705 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18767 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Wilkes Barre, 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 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.
Assessment notices:
In Luzerne 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 Wilkes Barre.
For example, the median home price in Wilkes Barre is $66,500, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 18706 has the highest median home price at $57,700.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$22,100
$124,200
$226,300
Median Wilkes Barre Market Value
$66,500
Median Luzerne County Market Value
$94,400
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18706 | $11,120 | $20,550 | $57,700 | $95,100 | $144,980 |
| 18701 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18702 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18704 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18705 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18767 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Property tax bills in Wilkes Barre are based on the assessed value of a home and the local tax rate set by taxing authorities. When a property’s assessed value rises, the tax bill usually rises too, even if the homeowner has not made any changes to the house. Local budgets, school funding, and municipal services all play a role in determining how much is owed each year.
With a median home price of $66,500, homeowners in Wilkes Barre can still face very different tax bills depending on where they live and how their property is assessed. The median tax bill in ZIP code 18706 is $1,764, while many households pay far more. The 25th percentile tax bill is $4,037, the 75th percentile is $11,529, and the 90th percentile reaches $15,914.
These bills can have a major impact on affordability, especially for homeowners whose property values do not match the tax burden. Understanding how the bill is calculated can help homeowners see whether their assessment is accurate and whether they may be paying more than they should.
Median Wilkes Barre Tax Bill
$8,688
Median Luzerne County Tax Bill
$2,802
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18706 | $310 | $619 | $1,764 | $3,262 | $5,147 |
| 18701 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18702 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18704 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18705 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 18767 | 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 | |
|---|---|
| Luzerne Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.timesleader.com |