In short
Pittsburgh charges 2 local taxes on a home sale: City of Pittsburgh realty transfer tax, Pittsburgh School District realty transfer tax. On the median owner-occupied home ($220,400), local taxes come to $8,816; with the Pennsylvania state tax of $2,204, the total is $11,020, or 5% of the price.
Median value: $220,400 median value of owner-occupied homes, Pittsburgh city, Pennsylvania (Census ACS 2024 1-year, table B25077). It is an owner estimate, not a sale price.
What you pay at different prices
| Price | City of Pittsburgh realty transfer tax | Pittsburgh School District realty transfer tax | Pennsylvania state tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $220,400 median home | $6,612 | $2,204 | $2,204 | $11,020 |
| $300,000 | $9,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $15,000 |
| $500,000 | $15,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $25,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| $2,000,000 | $60,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $100,000 |
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
City of Pittsburgh realty transfer tax
3% municipal rate (City of Pittsburgh).
In force: Overall 5% applied to residential deeds recorded from Feb. 1, 2020. Source: Allegheny County - Realty Transfer Taxes: Local Tax Rates (municipality and school district table).
Pittsburgh School District realty transfer tax
1% school district rate for properties in the Pittsburgh School District.
In force: . Source: Allegheny County - Realty Transfer Taxes: Local Tax Rates (municipality and school district table).
Questions
How much local transfer tax do you pay on a median home in Pittsburgh?
$8,816 on $220,400, the median value of owner-occupied homes (Census ACS). Payotte computes it from the rates published by the official sources cited on the page.
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.