In short
Philadelphia charges a local tax on a home sale: Philadelphia Realty Transfer Tax. On the median owner-occupied home ($253,600), local taxes come to $9,074; with the Pennsylvania state tax of $2,536, the total is $11,610, or 4.58% of the price.
Median value: $253,600 median value of owner-occupied homes, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (Census ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077). It is an owner estimate, not a sale price.
What you pay at different prices
| Price | Philadelphia Realty Transfer Tax (city portion) | Pennsylvania state tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $253,600 median home | $9,074 | $2,536 | $11,610 |
| $300,000 | $10,734 | $3,000 | $13,734 |
| $500,000 | $17,890 | $5,000 | $22,890 |
| $1,000,000 | $35,780 | $10,000 | $45,780 |
| $2,000,000 | $71,560 | $20,000 | $91,560 |
Before exemptions and credits (first-time buyers, transfers between relatives…), which are listed below when the source gives them. The tax due on your deed is the one the recorder computes.
The rates, tax by tax
Philadelphia Realty Transfer Tax (city portion)
City portion 3.578% of the sale price or assessed value plus assumed debt; with the 1% Commonwealth portion the total is 4.578%.
Who pays: The tax is usually split evenly between the buyer and the seller, but this is not a legal requirement. The City has the right to collect 100% of the tax from either party
In force: Transfers after July 1, 2025. Source: City of Philadelphia, Department of Revenue - Philly's Realty Transfer Tax rate is now 4.578%.
Questions
How much local transfer tax do you pay on a median home in Philadelphia?
$9,074 on $253,600, the median value of owner-occupied homes (Census ACS). Payotte computes it from the rates published by the official sources cited on the page.
Who pays the Philadelphia Realty Transfer Tax in Philadelphia?
The tax is usually split evenly between the buyer and the seller, but this is not a legal requirement. The City has the right to collect 100% of the tax from either party
Is the local tax on top of the Pennsylvania tax?
Yes. The local taxes listed here are added to the Pennsylvania state transfer tax.
General information drawn from the official sources cited and dated on this page. It is not legal, tax or financial advice: for your own situation, ask a licensed professional.