Closing costs

Closing Cost Calculator

Estimate what you'll pay to close on a home — transfer tax, title insurance, lender, and recording fees — itemized on any price. Then open your state for exact transfer-tax rules.

Closing costs by state

Transfer taxes are the biggest state-to-state difference. These pages compute them exactly, with who customarily pays and the typical total on the state's median home:

More states are being added. Every state has a mortgage calculator pre-filled with local prices and taxes today.

What are closing costs?

Closing costs are the one-time fees and taxes you pay to finalize a home purchase, separate from your down payment. For buyers they usually total 2–5% of the price — about $8,000–$20,000 on a $400,000home. The exact figure depends most on your state's transfer tax and whether an attorney closing is required.

The line items, explained

Transfer / recording tax — a state and sometimes county tax on the sale, the biggest state-to-state swing.
Lender origination — roughly 0.5–1% of the loan amount for processing and underwriting.
Title insurance — protects you and the lender against title defects; often ~0.5% of price.
Appraisal — the lender's independent valuation of the home, typically $300–600.
Home inspection — your own check on the home's condition before you commit.
Recording fees — charged by the county to record the deed and mortgage.
Attorney / settlement — required in some states, optional in others.
Prepaid escrow — a property-tax reserve plus a year of homeowners insurance; cash due, not a fee.

Buyer vs seller closing costs

Buyers pay the loan-related costs above plus, in most states, part of the transfer tax. Sellers typically pay the real-estate commission (5–6% of price) and — depending on local custom — all or part of the transfer tax. Because the split is set by state law and convention, the same sale can look very different in two states. The state pages spell out who pays what.

Closing-cost FAQ

How much are closing costs for a buyer?: Buyer closing costs typically run 2–5% of the purchase price. On a $400,000 home that's roughly $8,000–$20,000. The single biggest variable is the state and local transfer tax, which ranges from $0 in some states to 4%+ in others.
What's included in closing costs?: The main line items are lender origination (about 0.5–1% of the loan), title insurance, an appraisal, a home inspection, recording fees, a settlement or attorney fee, and any state/local transfer tax. Lenders also collect prepaid escrow at closing — a property-tax reserve plus a year of homeowners insurance — which is cash due but not a fee.
Who pays closing costs, the buyer or the seller?: Both pay, but different items. Buyers cover loan-related costs (origination, appraisal, title insurance) and usually part of the transfer tax. Sellers typically pay the real-estate agent commission (5–6%) and, depending on local custom, all or part of the transfer tax. Who pays the transfer tax in particular varies by state.
How much is the transfer tax?: It depends entirely on the state and sometimes the county or city. Some states have no transfer tax at all; others charge 1–4% of the price. Use the dedicated state pages below for exact rules — for example, Vermont and Delaware each have their own structure and split.
Are closing costs included in the mortgage?: Usually no — closing costs are paid in cash at the table, separate from your down payment. You can sometimes roll certain costs into the loan or negotiate seller concessions, but the default is that they're due at closing on top of the down payment.
Can I lower my closing costs?: Yes. Shop multiple lenders and compare Loan Estimates, ask the seller for a concession, choose a title company rather than defaulting to the lender's, and skip optional add-ons. First-time-buyer programs in some states also reduce the transfer-tax share.

Related calculators

Mortgage calculators by state

Estimates are for education only and are not a quote. Confirm exact figures with your lender, title company, and settlement attorney.