Closing costs in Ohio
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in Ohio — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses Ohio's actual rates.
- Transfer tax
- 0.1%
- customarily seller-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$34
- a flat fee per document
- Title insurance
- filed
- ~$3.50 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
Ohio in the national transfer-tax dataset
0.1%, #29 of 51 nationally; at $400,000, that is $240 below the median $640 tax at $400,000. The comparison uses the 51 source-verified state and DC records in the TallyClose dataset; null transfer-tax states count as 0% rather than being filled with an estimate.
- National rank
- #29 of 51
- highest state transfer-tax rate first
- Median-state tax at $400,000
- $640
- Ohio: $400
- County coverage
- 9
- 0 with a city-tax field
Ohio transfer-tax data: official source linked on this page, reviewed 2026-Q2.
How closing costs work in Ohio
The biggest closing-cost variable in Ohio is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is 0.1% and is customarily seller-paid. Ohio's base conveyance fee is $1.00 per $1,000 of value (0.10%), paid by the seller. Every county is authorized to levy a permissive conveyance fee of up to $3.00 per $1,000 additional; in practice most Ohio counties collect $3–$4 per $1,000 combined (typical combined $3–4/$1,000).
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $400 , before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are a flat fee per document and run around $34 for the deed.
For title insurance, Ohio title-insurance rates are filed with the state and broadly similar between companies, though you can sometimes shop. Ohio does not require an attorney at closing — a title or escrow company typically handles settlement, though you can hire an attorney if you want one. Lenders here typically charge $1,400–$3,200 in origination and processing fees, and 2 months of property-tax escrow is commonly collected at closing.
Statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 319.54 (conveyance fee). Official source ↗
Ohio closing cost calculator
Pre-set to Ohio. Adjust your price, down payment and loan type.
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Counties in Ohio
County and city taxes can change the total significantly. Open a county for its precise rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in Ohio?
In Ohio, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (0.1%, customarily seller-paid), county recording fees (a flat fee per document, around $34), and title insurance. Ohio does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in Ohio?
Ohio's real-estate transfer tax is 0.1% and is customarily seller-paid. Ohio's base conveyance fee is $1.00 per $1,000 of value (0.10%), paid by the seller. Every county is authorized to levy a permissive conveyance fee of up to $3.00 per $1,000 additional; in practice most Ohio counties collect $3–$4 per $1,000 combined (typical combined $3–4/$1,000).
Who pays closing costs in Ohio?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in Ohio is customarily seller-paid. Buyers generally cover lender fees, the appraisal, lender's title insurance and prepaids; sellers generally cover the agent commission and, in most states, the bulk of the transfer tax. Everything is negotiable in the contract.
Do I need an attorney to close in Ohio?
No. Ohio does not require an attorney at closing; a title or escrow company typically handles settlement. You may still choose to hire one.
Closest transfer-tax comparisons
Algorithmic neighbors by verified transfer-tax rate, not a static related-links block.
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