Lehigh County, PA Property Tax: $4,591/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Lehigh County is 1.66% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $276,100, that works out to about $4,583 per year, or $382 per month. Lehigh County is located in eastern Pennsylvania, with Allentown as its county seat, and is home to approximately 375,408 residents.
About Lehigh County
Lehigh County covers approximately 345.3 square miles in Pennsylvania. The county is home to about 375,408 residents living in roughly 150,547 housing units, of which 62.1% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $77,493, and the median home was built in 1968.
The county seat is Allentown. Lehigh County borders Berks County, Bucks County, Carbon County, Montgomery County, Northampton County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Pennsylvania
Property taxes in Pennsylvania are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Pennsylvania offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Lehigh County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Lehigh County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lehigh County, PA | 1.66% | $276,100 | $4,583 |
| Pennsylvania state average | 1.32% | — | $3,645* |
| Berks County | 1.77% | $239,700 | $4,238 |
| Bucks County | 1.38% | $421,700 | $5,833 |
| Carbon County | 1.50% | $193,700 | $2,914 |
| Montgomery County | 1.41% | $409,900 | $5,776 |
| Northampton County | 1.65% | $285,000 | $4,710 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Lehigh County's median home value of $276,100. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lehigh County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?
At 1.66%, Lehigh County is higher than the Pennsylvania state average of 1.32%. On a home at the county median of $276,100, that means about $4,583 per year — versus $3,645 at the state average rate, a difference of $938 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Lehigh County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Lehigh County?
For a home at the county median value of $276,100, the annual property tax in Lehigh County is approximately $4,583 — or about $382 per month. For a home worth $414,150, expect around $6,875 per year. For a $552,200 home, approximately $9,167 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Lehigh County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Lehigh County are handled by the Lehigh County Assessor's office in Allentown. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Lehigh County?
Pennsylvania counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.66% shown here. Contact the Lehigh County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File