Retiring to the Philadelphia suburbs

Will Pennsylvania's tax savings cover the inheritance tax?

Pennsylvania doesn't tax your Social Security, and once you're retired it generally doesn't tax your pension or IRA money. When you pass, though, it takes 4.5% of what goes to your adult kids. Put in your own numbers and see how many years of savings it takes to cover that bill, compared with staying where you are.

Built by Jim Stevenson, Realtor, from the Living in the Philadelphia Suburbs YouTube channel Tax rules as of
Try an example couple:
Where you're coming from

Example loaded: the retired couple from the video. Replace any number with your own.

Filing status
Most Maryland counties charge 2.25% to 3.3%. Montgomery is 3.20%.
We don't have a built-in estimate for this state, so enter what you pay below.
Yearly income in retirement

Household totals, before taxes.

Most suburban towns charge about 1% on wages. It doesn't apply to retirement income.
Matters in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, where some breaks are per person.
Know your actual state income tax? Use it instead of our estimate
From last year's state return. Leave out any local or county tax unless it goes away when you move.
Your house

Use real bills. Pennsylvania counties still tax off old assessments, so tax rates don't compare well across the state line.

The full yearly bill, before any rebates.
Use the bill on a listing you like, or estimate it from a price below.
Stay NJ is for homeowners 65 and older. Only 2 of next year's 4 payments are funded so far. Senior Freeze isn't modeled, so if you get it, enter your bill after the freeze.
Things like Connecticut's car tax or lower insurance and utilities. Use a minus sign if something costs more here.
What you'd leave your family

What you expect to have when the second of you passes, in today's dollars.

Taxed by Pennsylvania when the owner was past 59 and a half.
These come off before the tax.
Not taxed by Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania doesn't tax it, but that state's rules apply.
20 years
Until the second of you passes. Someone moving at 67 who lives to 87 is 20 years.
Years of savings to cover the tax -
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This calculator gives estimates for education only. It isn't tax, legal or financial advice. Federal taxes are left out because they're the same in both states. Talk to a CPA or a Pennsylvania estate attorney about your own situation.
Free relocation guide: Moving to the Philadelphia Suburbs

Free Relocation Guide

Moving to the Philadelphia Suburbs

My free relocation guide covers the towns I work in, with train times into the city, local income tax rates and what homes are selling for in each county.

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Home Buying Videos to Help You Navigate the Process

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and Jim Stevenson is here to guide you through every step of the process.

  • This Will Be WORSE Than A Housing Market Crash In The Philadelphia Suburbs

  • Best Philly Suburbs With Train Access to Philadelphia

  • Best Philly Suburbs by Budget: What Your Money Actually Buys

  • Pennsylvania Homestead Exemption Explained: How to Lower Your Property Taxes

  • Don't Buy in a PA 55+ Community Until You Watch This

  • What Realtors Don't Tell You About Buying in the Philadelphia Suburbs

  • I Moved 16 Families from NJ to PA in 2025: Don't Make This $100,000 Mistake

  • The Downsizing Tax Bomb: What PA Retirees Need to Know Before Selling

  • The Best Philadelphia Suburbs for Families in 2026 (Top 10 Ranked)

  • These Philly Suburbs Will Explode in 2026 (Get In Early)

  • The 2026 "Wildcard" That Could Wipe Out Home Values in the Philly Suburbs

  • Acreage Homes Near Philadelphia: Most Land for the Money

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Client Reviews

What Past Clients Say

Here's what past clients have said on Google and Zillow.

Overall Rating

5.0 (31)

  • We cannot say enough great things about Jim! As first-time home buyers, we had a lot of questions and uncertainties, but he guided us through the process, helping everything run smoothly. Jim was incredibly patient, always available to answer our questions, and consistently went above and beyond to help us close on the perfect home. He kept us informed at every stage, provided honest advice, and even after closing, he continued to check in and offer support, speaking volumes about his commitment to his clients. If you’re looking for a real estate agent who is professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about your home-buying experience, we highly recommend Jim. He made our dream of homeownership a reality, and we are beyond grateful!

    Tom FoxGoogle review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2018 in North wales, PA.

    Jim assisted us with the purchase of our home in Montgomery county. He was diligent, efficient and worked around the clock to negotiate and close the sale to our satisfaction.

    elliegerhardsFebruary 5, 2019Zillow review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2018 in Pipersville, PA.

    Jim did a fantastic job from start to finish with our real estate transaction. His attention to detail and communication skills are second to none. We would definitely recommend Jim to our friends and family.

    zuser20171222073519374January 22, 2019Zillow review
  • Bought a Condo home in 2019 in Doylestown, PA.

    Jim was our agent for our purchase in Bucks County, and we are so lucky to have had him represent us. He made every aspect of the transaction easy, was always available for any kind of questions or issues, and his advice and negotiation strategy were spot on. Plus he's a really nice person! We highly recommend him. Ps the team at RealtyOne is also great (a shout out to Kourtney!) – all questions answered quickly, very thorough follow-through and every detail covered.

    john33515July 1, 2019Zillow review
  • We couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional experience we had working with Jim in buying our first home! Jim truly listened to our needs, guiding us through every step of the process and offering invaluable advice along the way. Jim went above and beyond to ensure we found the perfect home, always keeping our best interests in mind. He is responsive, professional, and transparent throughout the entire journey. We can’t thank Jim enough for making our first home-buying experience smooth, enjoyable, and memorable. If you’re looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable realtor who genuinely cares about their clients, look no further! Thank you again, Jim! We’re so happy with our new home!

    Shannon HurleyGoogle review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2018 in Glenside, PA.

    Jim was the best! We found the perfect home on the second day. Jim helped us through all of the closing procedures, since it was our first time buying. He was always available and able to answer all questions. I highly recommend using him to find your perfect home.

    TaraceesJanuary 22, 2019Zillow review
  • Jim is a fantastic realtor! He is knowledgeable and experienced. He is very easy to work with and would recommend his services highly!

    Lauren StevensonGoogle review
  • Bought a Townhouse home in 2019 in Warrington, PA.

    Our experience in working with the High Performance Real Estate Network was excellent. Our realtor Jim, was always ready and willing to do whatever was needed, to help us work through the process of buying our new home. His quick response to our questions and need for advice, told us we were in good hands, every step of the way. Everyone we had contact with at his agency was friendly and professional. Every aspect of our home buying with Jim couldn’t have been more positive!

    carolynmbarrySeptember 8, 2020Zillow review
  • Bought a Condo home in 2019 in Upper gwynedd, PA.

    Jim was an excellent realtor. He was our advocate in all situations and transactions. We moved from Delaware to PA and Jim made that transition for us seamless. Jim and his entire staff were professional and accurate in all their paperwork for us

    lheckleSeptember 8, 2020Zillow review
  • Jim was responsive and knowledgeable throughout the whole home buying process, and remained responsive and helpful even two months after we moved in. He’s a straight shooter and very personable. We never felt pressured at any time throughout the process. He knows who to call for every problem that might come up as well 👍. Couldn’t of asked for a better realtor!

    Justin DarcyGoogle review
  • Bought a Townhouse home in 2020 in Warrington, PA.

    Jim was very knowledgeable, caring and patient. We ran into issues with my mortgage company and he went above and beyond to help out. Thank you, Jim.

    zuser20160313053753941September 9, 2020Zillow review
  • Professional to work with! A great Realtor--I look forward to working together again soon!

    Kelly BerkGoogle review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2019 in Glenside, PA.

    Jim was great and very patient with us. Great experience. He showed everything we asked and didn't push onto other homes we didn't ask for. If you're looking for a home make sure to reach out to Jim and he will do the rest

    user045315January 22, 2019Zillow review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2020 in Quakertown, PA.

    Jim was very helpful and considerate throughout the entire process. He provided guidance and was able to answer any question and deliver on requests. The entire process went entirely smooth.

    Juan D. BolanosFebruary 7, 2021Zillow review
  • Bought a Single Family home in 2020 in Hatfield, PA.

    The first-time-homebuying experience was made SO much easier with Jim’s help. Very responsive, very helpful, and very patient in answering any questions we had and in finding a home that worked for us.

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