Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Closing a property in Allegheny County.

130 municipalities, and the transfer tax is different in a surprising number of them. Here is what actually drives the cost.

(412) 677-2311 Look up your municipality

Transfer tax depends on the municipality, not the county

Pennsylvania charges 1% statewide. The municipality and school district each add their own on top, and Allegheny County publishes the rate for all 130 of them. The spread is wide enough to matter a great deal:

  • 2% total — the large majority, including Dormont, Brentwood, Wilkinsburg, Mt. Lebanon, Ross, Shaler and most boroughs and townships
  • 2.5% total — a dozen or so, including Bethel Park, Monroeville, McCandless, Hampton, Pine and Upper St. Clair
  • 3% total — McKeesport City, Penn Hills, Mt. Oliver
  • 4.5% total — City of Pittsburgh in the Baldwin-Whitehall school district
  • 5% total — City of Pittsburgh in the Pittsburgh school district

On a $300,000 sale, that is $6,000 in Dormont and $15,000 in the city. It is customarily split between buyer and seller, though the agreement of sale governs. Our calculator carries every municipality.

Title premium does not vary

Pennsylvania premiums are filed centrally, so every agent in the county charges the same. Where agents differ is on settlement fees, search fees and whether the file closes on time.

Recording

Deeds and mortgages are recorded with the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate. A deed and a mortgage are charged separately.

Buying in the City of Pittsburgh

City transactions carry the county’s highest transfer tax by a wide margin. If you are comparing a city property against one in a neighbouring borough, run both through the calculator before deciding — the tax difference alone can exceed $9,000 on a typical sale.

Get an Allegheny County estimate

Tell us about the transaction and we’ll come back to you with a figure and a timeline — usually the same business day.

We never send wiring instructions by email, and we will never ask you to change them by email. Always call a number you already have on file before moving money.

Questions

Common questions

Which Allegheny County municipalities have the highest transfer tax?
The City of Pittsburgh, at 4.5% or 5% depending on the school district. McKeesport City, Penn Hills and Mt. Oliver are 3%. Around a dozen municipalities sit at 2.5%, and the large majority of the county is 2%.
How do I find the transfer tax for a specific address?
Use our Pennsylvania calculator and choose the municipality — it carries the published rate for all 130 of them. If you are unsure which municipality an address falls in, call us and we will check.
Where are deeds recorded in Allegheny County?
With the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate. A deed and a mortgage are charged as separate recordings.
Is buying in a borough cheaper than the city?
On transfer tax, substantially. The same purchase price in Dormont rather than the City of Pittsburgh saves around $9,000 on a $300,000 sale. Worth running both through the calculator before you decide.

More in our full FAQ, or call Pennsylvania (412) 677-2311 or Alabama (256) 692-0808.

Keep reading

Closing a Pennsylvania property Pennsylvania calculator Why Pittsburgh costs $9,000 more Who pays PA transfer tax? What is a title commitment? Open a title order