Property taxes in PA vs NJ (Philadelphia, Drexel Hill: sales, how much, buying a house)

[FamBri]

I'm considering buying a house this summer in either NJ or PA. I'm not particular to one state or the other. I have had the impression that property taxes are lower in PA, but as I've looked at online home listings that are within about an hour commute of downtown Philadelphia, I'm getting the idea that in comparable quality school districts that range from average to great, property taxes are pretty similar in NJ or PA.

What is your impression of property taxes for PA vs NJ in good school districts? Are there areas in PA not too far from Philladelphia that have good or great school systems and low property taxes? (Low meaning less than about $800 per month for a $300,000 house, or maybe about 3%.)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[rainrock]

Property taxes in Pa have been going thru the roof. Its one very easy and convenient tax that politicians and towns keep raising higher and higher. Its been abused over the years. 20 years ago Pa was probably a bargain compared to NJ in regards to taxes but not so sure anymore.

However You should keep an eye on Pennsylvania. There is a bill that Legislature is trying to push through that would eliminate Public School /Property Tax from Pa. The idea is that Property taxes will be eliminated and replaced by an increase in Income tax and Sales tax. Income tax would from 3% to 5%. Sales tax 6% to 7%.

As is property taxes act as though you have a second seperate mortgage. A ton of your money and equity going down the drain . Its incredibly unfair to seniors who paid school taxes for 60-70-80 years and only got 12- years or so of use out of them


Anyway. Currently Property taxes vary from town to town, county to county. You can find online what each school district property tax rate is.

[FamBri]

Thanks for that helpful information, rainrock.

[timeEd32]

I'm not as familiar with South Jersey, but PA taxes are still a bargain compared to North Jersey, including Lower Merion which has a very high school tax rate. There are definitely towns in SJ that make PA still seem like a bargain - Haddonfield comes to mind.

Also, what you're defining as low seems easily doable.

(Low meaning less than about $800 per month for a $300,000 house, or maybe about 3%.)

In fact I think it would be fairly challenging to find a $300k house with property taxes north of $8k in PA aside from maybe a few particularly egregious towns like Elkins Park and Drexel Hill.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by timeEd32

In fact I think it would be fairly challenging to find a $300k house with property taxes north of $8k in PA aside from maybe a few particularly egregious towns like Elkins Park and Drexel Hill.

Probably true. However, another distinction between PA and NJ is that the people in NJ brag about how much they pay in property taxes. No one in PA would do this, so you just don't hear about it as much.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Probably true. However, another distinction between PA and NJ is that the people in NJ brag about how much they pay in property taxes. No one in PA would do this, so you just don't hear about it as much.

Northern NJ. Housing prices are lower in Southern NJ. Cheaper house=lower taxes.

[timeEd32]

Most people I know definitely aren't bragging about the state of property taxes in NJ.

[sj08054]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

Probably true. However, another distinction between PA and NJ is that the people in NJ brag about how much they pay in property taxes. No one in PA would do this, so you just don't hear about it as much.

You are mistaken complaining with bragging. NJ resident don't brag about the high tax. They just accept it as the way it is.

[mrsfixit99]

Originally Posted by FamBri

I'm considering buying a house this summer in either NJ or PA. I'm not particular to one state or the other. I have had the impression that property taxes are lower in PA, but as I've looked at online home listings that are within about an hour commute of downtown Philadelphia, I'm getting the idea that in comparable quality school districts that range from average to great, property taxes are pretty similar in NJ or PA.

What is your impression of property taxes for PA vs NJ in good school districts? Are there areas in PA not too far from Philladelphia that have good or great school systems and low property taxes? (Low meaning less than about $800 per month for a $300,000 house, or maybe about 3%.)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Stay away from the Pocono's.

Do not under any circumstances even consider Monroe county. Tax rates average 5% of the value of the house, and due to a recent reassessment they supposedly will go up 200-300% next year.

I've been here 26 years. My taxes have gone up 25 out of those 26 years. :-/

At least if you get a house in NJ, you will be able to sell it eventually. It's a better investment, long term. People can't sell a house in Monroe county to save their lives, because of the taxes. This is why there are 10-20 pages of sheriff's sales on houses in the local paper EVERY single Friday.

Do your homework on the areas before making a decision, just be forewarned to run like hell from anything in this area no matter how great it seems...

[mrsfixit99]

Originally Posted by timeEd32

I'm not as familiar with South Jersey, but PA taxes are still a bargain compared to North Jersey, including Lower Merion which has a very high school tax rate. There are definitely towns in SJ that make PA still seem like a bargain - Haddonfield comes to mind.

In fact I think it would be fairly challenging to find a $300k house with property taxes north of $8k in PA aside from maybe a few particularly egregious towns like Elkins Park and Drexel Hill.

I beg to differ.

I know people with houses assessed around $120,000 in Stroudsburg who are paying $8,000 a year in taxes.