By Josh McKnight | The McKnight Team
Springfield Township in Delaware County just enacted a new 1% earned income tax, effective July 1. That is not the headline. The headline is what comes with it: the township commissioners have committed to cutting property taxes by nearly 20% in 2027. For homeowners and buyers paying attention to the Delaware County real estate market, that combination deserves a close look.
How the Tax Shift Works
The new earned income tax, passed as Ordinance No. 1658, applies to wages earned by people who live or work in Springfield Township. A portion of that revenue will come from nonresidents who work in the township and currently use local services without contributing to the tax base. That is the core of the argument commissioners made for the change.
Commissioners President Jeff Rudolph put it plainly: an earned income tax gives the township revenue diversity and delivers property tax relief to homeowners who have been carrying the full load. The commitment is a nearly 20% property tax reduction for the 2027 budget year. That is not a vague promise. It is a stated intention tied to a specific tax year.
For a homeowner with a $10,000 annual property tax bill — not unusual in Delaware County — a 20% reduction means $2,000 back in their pocket every year. That kind of structural change affects the real cost of ownership, which is exactly what buyers calculate when they are comparing communities.
What It Means for the Springfield Real Estate Market
Springfield Township already attracts buyers for good reasons. The average home price in Springfield was $450,000 in March 2026, up 5.9% year over year, according to Redfin. The market is highly competitive, scoring 87 out of 100 on Redfin’s competitiveness index. Demand has been driven by the township’s location, its housing stock of mostly detached single-family homes, and the Springfield School District.
A meaningful property tax reduction adds a new dimension to that story. Lower annual carrying costs make a home more affordable to hold, which supports prices. They also make Springfield more attractive relative to neighboring communities where property tax burdens are higher. Buyers doing side-by-side comparisons of Delaware County real estate will notice the difference.
There is also a signal here about how Springfield is being managed. Fiscal discipline and proactive planning are not things most buyers think about when they are shopping for a home. But over time, they show up in how well a community maintains its infrastructure, services, and quality of life. Those things protect property values.
What This Means for You
If you are buying in Delaware County, put Springfield Township on your comparison list and run the actual numbers on annual tax cost, not just purchase price. A lower property tax rate changes the monthly cost of ownership in a way that the listing price does not show you. If you already own a home in Springfield, this is straightforward good news. Lower carrying costs strengthen your equity position and make your home more attractive to future buyers.
The McKnight Team works throughout Delaware County and can help you understand the full cost picture in any township you are considering. Visit TheMcKnightTeam.com for more information.
Thinking about buying or selling in Springfield Township? Let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Springfield Township Delaware County Real Estate
What is the housing market like in Springfield Township right now? Springfield is one of the more competitive markets in Delaware County. The average home price was $450,000 as of early 2026 according to Redfin, up nearly 6% year over year. Homes move quickly and the market consistently scores in the upper range of Redfin’s competitiveness index. Well-priced listings draw multiple offers, particularly for detached single-family homes.
How will Springfield Township’s new earned income tax affect homeowners? The EIT itself is 1% on wages, which means most residents will pay a modest amount depending on their income. The more significant impact is on the other side: the township has committed to cutting property taxes by nearly 20% in 2027. For most homeowners, the property tax savings will exceed what they pay in the new EIT, making the overall tax burden lower than it was before.
Why does a property tax reduction matter when buying a home in Springfield Township? Property taxes are a fixed annual cost that does not go away regardless of what happens to interest rates or your mortgage payment. A township that actively manages its tax structure to keep those costs in check gives buyers more predictability on total ownership cost. A 20% reduction is a meaningful number — it changes the real monthly cost of owning a home.
How does Springfield Township compare to other Delaware County communities for buyers? Springfield sits in the middle-to-upper tier of Delaware County in terms of price. You are paying more than you would in communities like Darby or Lansdowne, but you are getting a well-established township with strong housing stock and now a trajectory of lower property taxes. Compared to higher-priced suburbs in Montgomery County, Springfield still represents solid value for what you get.
Is now a good time to sell a home in Springfield Township? The combination of price appreciation, competitive demand, and an improving tax environment makes Springfield a strong market for sellers right now. Buyers are actively comparing Delaware County communities, and the news around lower property taxes gives Springfield an additional selling point beyond what the home itself offers. Well-prepared listings are moving quickly.
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