Average Cost of an Acre of Land in Pennsylvania (2026)
The average value of farmland in Pennsylvania is about $8,490 per acre based on the latest USDA data, roughly 95% above the national average of $4,350. Pennsylvania farmland holds strong value, especially the prized soils of Lancaster County, and proximity to Northeast metros keeps demand firm.
Average agricultural land values from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Land Values 2025 Summary (August 2025). Building lots and developed parcels sell for more; always check recent local sales.
Price your own parcel
What affects land prices in Pennsylvania
- Lancaster and the southeast. Some of the most valuable farmland in the country sits in PA's Amish farm belt.
- Distance to metros. Land within reach of Philadelphia and the I-95 corridor prices higher.
- Mineral rights. In the north and west, Marcellus shale gas rights can affect a parcel's value.
- Soil quality. Productive limestone soils command a premium over rocky upland ground.
How Pennsylvania compares
At about $8,490 an acre, Pennsylvania sits 95% above the US average of $4,350. Cropland here averages $9,560 an acre and pasture $4,240, against national figures of $5,830 and $1,920. These are working-farmland averages: a buildable lot near a city runs well above them, and raw, remote acreage well below.
Where an acre runs cheap and where it runs high in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's most valuable farm ground sits in the southeast, especially the limestone soils of Lancaster County, where some of the priciest farmland in the country trades hands. Land within reach of Philadelphia and the I-95 corridor runs higher across the board. Move north and west into the ridges and the former coal country and prices drop sharply, with rough or wooded ground among the most affordable in the state.
Cropland, pasture, and the Pennsylvania spread
Pennsylvania farm real estate averages about $8,490 an acre, with cropland near $9,560 and pasture around $4,240. The strong cropland number reflects the productive southeastern soils, while the lower pasture figure pulls from the grazing and hill ground across the rest of the state.
Which way Pennsylvania prices are moving
Pennsylvania farmland rose about 4.0 percent in the latest USDA figures, near the national pace. Demand from the Amish farm belt and steady interest from Northeast metro buyers keep the southeast firm, while rural northern counties move more slowly.
What the average buys you
At $8,490 an acre, 10 acres of Pennsylvania farmland runs about $84,900 before closing. The best Lancaster County ground costs more; rough northern acreage costs less. Drop a real listing price into the calculator above to price the parcel you're considering.
Before you buy land in Pennsylvania
In the north and west, mineral rights matter: Marcellus shale gas rights can convey separately and affect both value and use. Everywhere, soil quality drives farm value, so productive limestone ground is worth far more than rocky upland. Confirm what rights come with the deed and check recent local sales before you buy.
Common questions
On average, about $8,490 per acre for farmland in the latest USDA figures. That's the agricultural average; a buildable lot near a city costs more and remote acreage less. Enter a local listing price in the calculator above to price your own parcel.
Yes. Pennsylvania farmland rose 4% in the latest USDA report, slower than the national average of 4.3%.
No. The USDA figure is average agricultural land value. Residential and commercial building lots sell well above it. Treat the average as a floor for rural acreage and compare against recent local sales before you buy.
43,560 square feet. Use the square feet to acres tool to convert any lot size, in either direction.
These are planning estimates based on USDA agricultural land values, not an appraisal. Land prices vary widely by county, parcel, access, and use. Confirm with recent local sales or a licensed appraiser before buying or selling.