Pennsylvania Transfer Tax: How Much It Is and Who Pays
Pennsylvania's Realty Transfer Tax is 1% of the purchase price: $3,085 on a $308,500 home. Cities and counties add their own; Philadelphia's brings the total there to $14,123.
Pennsylvania transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| $200,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| $250,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| $300,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| $350,000 | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| $450,000 | $4,500 | $4,500 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| $700,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| $800,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
In Pennsylvania the transfer tax is customarily split between buyer and seller. 61 Pa. Code Section 91.111: grantor and grantee are jointly and severally liable for the state tax; industry custom splits the combined state+local tax 50/50, negotiable in the agreement of sale. Source
City and county transfer taxes in Pennsylvania
These stack on the state tax. Open a jurisdiction for the combined figure at every price.
| Jurisdiction | Local rate | Total on a $308,500 home |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 3.578% of the purchase price | $14,123 |
| City of Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) | 4% of the purchase price | $15,425 |
| City of Reading | 4% of the purchase price | $15,425 |
| Doylestown Borough | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| West Chester Borough | 1.5% of the purchase price | $7,713 |
| Carlisle Borough | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| City of Harrisburg | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| Media Borough | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| City of Erie | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| City of Lancaster | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| City of Allentown | 1.5% of the purchase price | $7,713 |
| Wilkes-Barre | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| Norristown Borough | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| Easton | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| Greensburg | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
| City of York | 1% of the purchase price | $6,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in Pennsylvania?
The state rate is 1% of the purchase price, which is $3,085 on a $308,500 home; Philadelphia, City of Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) and City of Reading add a local tax on top.
Who pays the transfer tax in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania the transfer tax is customarily split between buyer and seller. 61 Pa. Code Section 91.111: grantor and grantee are jointly and severally liable for the state tax; industry custom splits the combined state+local tax 50/50, negotiable in the agreement of sale. Source
Is there a mortgage or recordation tax too?
No. Pennsylvania taxes the deed only; recording the mortgage costs a flat recording fee, not a percentage.
Are there exemptions?
61 Pa. Code Chapter 91 exempts transfers between spouses, parent-child, and certain family/governmental/nonprofit transfers from the tax; there is no general statewide first-time-buyer credit against the realty transfer tax.
Sources
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
All Pennsylvania buyer closing costs → Pennsylvania title insurance cost →
Figures are computed from the statute cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Transfer tax in every state