Somerset County, PA Property Tax: $1,449/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Somerset County is 1.11% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $130,600, that works out to about $1,450 per year, or $121 per month. Somerset County is located in southern Pennsylvania, with Somerset as its county seat, and is home to approximately 73,255 residents.
About Somerset County
Somerset County covers approximately 1,075.0 square miles in Pennsylvania. The county is home to about 73,255 residents living in roughly 37,800 housing units, of which 61.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $59,378, and the median home was built in 1963.
The county seat is Somerset. Somerset County borders Allegany County, Garrett County, Bedford County, Cambria County, Fayette 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 Somerset County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Somerset County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset County, PA | 1.11% | $130,600 | $1,450 |
| Pennsylvania state average | 1.32% | — | $1,724* |
| Allegany County | 1.08% | $149,200 | $1,609 |
| Garrett County | 0.83% | $217,000 | $1,792 |
| Bedford County | 0.81% | $172,900 | $1,403 |
| Cambria County | 1.28% | $115,900 | $1,487 |
| Fayette County | 1.19% | $126,900 | $1,516 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Somerset County's median home value of $130,600. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Somerset County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Pennsylvania?
At 1.11%, Somerset County is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of 1.32%. On a home at the county median of $130,600, that means about $1,450 per year — versus $1,724 at the state average rate, a difference of $274 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Somerset County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Somerset County?
For a home at the county median value of $130,600, the annual property tax in Somerset County is approximately $1,450 — or about $121 per month. For a home worth $195,900, expect around $2,174 per year. For a $261,200 home, approximately $2,899 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Somerset County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Somerset County are handled by the Somerset County Assessor's office in Somerset. 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 Somerset 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 1.11% shown here. Contact the Somerset 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