Property Taxes in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Median Bethlehem, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 0.54%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Bethlehem, Pennsylvania home value: $117,200
Median annual Bethlehem, Pennsylvania tax bill: $632, $1,768 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Northampton calculated?
Property taxes in Bethlehem, 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 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 April 13, 2026
How Does the Bethlehem Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Bethlehem property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Bethlehem's median effective tax rate of 0.54% — based on actual property records in Northampton 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 Bethlehem'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 Bethlehem: rates range from $386.00 in 18015 to $765.00 in 18020, 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 Bethlehem.
About Bethlehem Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Bethlehem, Northampton, Pennsylvania
Bethlehem’s median effective property tax rate of 0.54% is lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Northampton 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 Bethlehem. Homeowners in the 18015 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.54%, while those in 18015 pay 0.54%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Northampton County. Understanding which part of Bethlehem you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem, Northampton 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 Bethlehem'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 Bethlehem Tax Rate
0.54%
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 Northampton County Tax Rate
0.54%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18015 | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% |
| 18017 | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% |
| 18018 | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% |
| 18020 | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% | 0.54% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Bethlehem, 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. Northampton 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 Northampton County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month.
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 $117,200, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 18020 has the highest median home price at $141,600.00.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$67,400
$113,700
$160,000
Median Bethlehem Market Value
$117,200
Median Northampton County Market Value
$115,200
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18015 | $43,000 | $54,800 | $71,400 | $130,400 | $257,000 |
| 18017 | $85,400 | $104,200 | $128,200 | $175,200 | $226,800 |
| 18018 | $65,000 | $71,000 | $79,600 | $93,800 | $116,200 |
| 18020 | $97,200 | $116,600 | $141,600 | $188,000 | $238,140 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
Property tax bills in Bethlehem are calculated by applying the local tax rate to a home’s assessed value, which is based on the property’s market value. The assessed value is the starting point for the bill, and it can vary depending on the home’s location, size, condition, and other property characteristics. For homeowners, this means two similar houses can receive different tax bills if their assessed values are not the same.
In Bethlehem, the median home price is $117,200, and the median property tax bill is $765 in the highest-bill ZIP code, 18020, while the lowest median tax bill is $386 in 18015. Across the city, tax bills can range widely, with the 25th percentile at $444, the 75th percentile at $887, and the 90th percentile at $1,206. These differences show how property taxes can affect monthly housing costs and overall affordability for homeowners.
Median Bethlehem Tax Bill
$632
Median Northampton County Tax Bill
$621
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18015 | $232 | $295 | $386 | $704 | $1,389 |
| 18017 | $461 | $563 | $692 | $946 | $1,225 |
| 18018 | $351 | $383 | $430 | $504 | $624 |
| 18020 | $525 | $630 | $765 | $1,015 | $1,286 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | August 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Northampton Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.ncpub.org |