Property Taxes in Sterling, Pennsylvania
Median Sterling, Pennsylvania effective property tax rate: 1.63%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75%.
Median Sterling, Pennsylvania home value: $207,000
Median annual Sterling, Pennsylvania tax bill: $3,382, higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Wayne calculated?
Property taxes in Sterling, 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 Sterling's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Sterling, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Sterling Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Sterling property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Sterling's median effective tax rate of 1.63% — based on actual property records in Wayne County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure used to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Sterling'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 Sterling: rates range from 3382.00 in 18463 to 3382.00 in 18463, 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 Sterling.
About Sterling Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Sterling, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Sterling’s median effective property tax rate of 1.63% is higher than the Pennsylvania state median of 2.75% and higher than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Wayne 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 Sterling. Homeowners in the 18463 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.63%, while those in the same ZIP also pay 1.63%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Wayne County. Understanding which part of Sterling you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Sterling homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the Tax Assessor before the September 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 Sterling, Wayne 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 Sterling'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 Sterling Tax Rate
1.63%
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 Wayne County Tax Rate
1.63%
Median Effective Pennsylvania Tax Rate
2.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Sterling, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18463 | 1.63% | 1.63% | 1.63% | 1.63% | 1.63% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sterling, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
When examining property taxes in Sterling, 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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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. For example, the median home price in Sterling is $207,000, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 18463 has the highest median home price at $207,000.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sterling, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
Source: Ownwell
$6,400
$150,800
$295,200
Median Sterling Market Value
$207,000
Median Wayne County Market Value
$182,100
Median Pennsylvania Market Value
$118,310
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Sterling, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18463 | $108,620 | $158,350 | $207,000 | $281,900 | $363,980 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Sterling, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
Sterling property tax bills are calculated by applying local tax rates 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 property values rise or local taxing rates are adjusted.
For homeowners in Sterling, the typical tax burden is higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400. With a median home price of $207,000, many residents see bills that fall well above that benchmark. The 25th percentile tax bill is $2,568, while the 75th percentile is $4,606 and the 90th percentile reaches $5,948. In Wayne County, the highest and lowest median tax bill reported is $3,382 in ZIP code 18463.
Because property taxes are tied to assessed value and local rates, homeowners may face higher bills even without making changes to their homes.
Median Sterling Tax Bill
$3,382
Median Wayne County Tax Bill
$3,056
Median Pennsylvania Tax Bill
$3,050
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Sterling, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18463 | $1,775 | $2,568 | $3,382 | $4,606 | $5,948 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | September 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Wayne Tax Assessor | |
| Website | taxservices.waynecountypa.gov |