Property Tax in Chester County
via TaxByCounty
Chester's taxes rank among nation's highest
Chester County's effective tax rate of 1.341% exceeds the national median of 1.09%, placing it in roughly the 73rd percentile. The median property tax of $6,191 is more than double the national median of $2,690, driven by both Chester's high effective rate and its premium property values of $461,800.
Above Pennsylvania's average, second-highest bills
Chester County ranks in the upper quarter of Pennsylvania counties by effective tax rate, slightly exceeding the state average of 1.317%. Its median tax of $6,191 is the second-highest in the state after Bucks County, reflecting the county's combination of steep rates and robust home values.
Steeper than Bucks despite similar rates
Chester's 1.341% rate is nearly identical to Bucks County's 1.383%, but Chester residents pay more in absolute dollars ($6,191 vs. $5,833) due to higher median home values. Both represent the wealthiest, most heavily taxed counties in the Philadelphia region.
Substantial: roughly $6,191 per year
On Chester's median home value of $461,800, the 1.341% effective rate translates to an estimated annual property tax of $6,191. This is among the nation's highest property tax bills in absolute dollars, reflecting the county's affluent character.
High values make appeals especially valuable
In Chester County's expensive housing market, even small assessment errors translate to substantial tax overpayments. Filing an appeal is particularly worthwhile here—a 5% overvaluation could cost hundreds annually, making the effort highly worthwhile.