State College transfer tax
On a $400,000 home sale in State College, PA, transfer taxes come to $12,000 (3% of the price): Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%), State College Borough realty transfer tax (1.5%) and State College Area School District realty transfer tax (0.5%), split between buyer and seller as shown below.
Local total 2%; with the 1% state tax 3%.
State College transfer tax calculator
- State
- Municipal
- School district
| Tax | Rate | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania realty transfer taxState | 1% | Split 50/50 | $4,000.00 |
| State College Borough realty transfer taxMunicipal | 1.5% | Split 50/50 | $6,000.00 |
| State College Area School District realty transfer taxSchool district | 0.5% | Split 50/50 | $2,000.00 |
| Total transfer tax (3% of the price) | $12,000.00 | ||
"Who pays" is the customary or legal default; your purchase contract can move it.
Transfer tax in State College by home price
| Sale price | Total tax | Effective rate | Seller | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $7,500 | 3% | $3,750 | $3,750 |
| $400,000 | $12,000 | 3% | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| $600,000 | $18,000 | 3% | $9,000 | $9,000 |
| $800,000 | $24,000 | 3% | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $30,000 | 3% | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $45,000 | 3% | $22,500 | $22,500 |
| $2,500,000 | $75,000 | 3% | $37,500 | $37,500 |
| $5,000,000 | $150,000 | 3% | $75,000 | $75,000 |
Negotiable amounts are shown half to each side.
Selling in State College?
Transfer tax is usually the second-biggest closing cost after the agent's commission. Comparing agents' fees often saves more than any exemption.
Exemptions in Pennsylvania
- Transfers between spouses
- Transfers between parent and child (or child's spouse), siblings, or grandparent and grandchild
- Transfers to a living trust
- Transfers by will or intestacy
- Transfers to the U.S., the Commonwealth or its instrumentalities
- Correction deeds and transfers for no or nominal consideration to confirm title
Local exemptions can differ; see Pennsylvania transfer tax.
Elsewhere in Centre County
- Bellefonte2%
- Benner2%
- Boggs (Centre County)2%
- Burnside (Centre County)2%
- Centre Hall2%
- College2%
- Curtin2%
- Ferguson (Centre County)2.87%
- Gregg (Centre County)2%
- Haines2%
- Halfmoon2%
- Harris2%
- Howard2%
- Howard2%
- Huston (Centre County)2%
- Liberty (Centre County)2%
- Marion (Centre County)2%
- Miles2%
- Milesburg2%
- Millheim2%
- Patton2%
- Penn (Centre County)2%
- Philipsburg2%
- Port Matilda2%
- Potter (Centre County)2%
- Rush (Centre County)2%
- Snow Shoe2%
- Snow Shoe2%
- Spring (Centre County)2%
- Taylor (Centre County)1.5%
- Union (Centre County)2%
- Unionville2%
- Walker (Centre County)2%
- Worth (Centre County)2%
Questions
What is the transfer tax rate in State College?
3% of the price on a $400,000 sale: Pennsylvania realty transfer tax (1%); State College Borough realty transfer tax (1.5%); State College Area School District realty transfer tax (0.5%).
Who pays transfer tax in State College?
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split 50/50; the contract decides.. State College Borough realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split between buyer and seller; the sales agreement decides.. State College Area School District realty transfer tax: Split 50/50 — Customarily split between buyer and seller; the sales agreement decides.. The purchase contract can assign it differently.
How much is transfer tax on a $500,000 house in State College?
$15,000 in total (seller $7,500, buyer $7,500).
Who pays transfer tax in Pennsylvania?
By custom buyer and seller split it 50/50, but the agreement of sale decides.
What is the total transfer tax in Philadelphia?
4.578%: 3.578% city plus 1% state.
Sources
- PA DCED Municipal Statistics – Municipal Tax Database (2026 reporting year, Realty Transfer)
- DCED 2026 municipal tax export (Excel)
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – Realty Transfer Tax
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue – Tax Rates
Last checked October 13, 2026. Rates in effect for residential sales; commercial, leasehold and entity transfers can differ. Always confirm with your title company or closing attorney before closing.