Closing costs in Texas
What a buyer or seller pays at the closing table in Texas — the real transfer-tax rate, recording fees, title-insurance method and attorney rules, plus a calculator that uses Texas's actual rates.
- Transfer tax
- none
- customarily negotiable-paid
- Recording fee (deed)
- ~$30
- charged per page of the document
- Title insurance
- promulgated
- ~$5.50 / $1,000
- Attorney at closing
- Not required
How closing costs work in Texas
The biggest closing-cost variable in Texas is the real-estate transfer tax, which here is none and is customarily negotiable-paid. Texas is one of a handful of states with NO real-estate transfer tax — there is no deed stamp or excise tax on the sale price. Title insurance, however, uses promulgated (state-set) rates, so the owner's-policy premium is identical at every title company; you cannot shop the premium itself. Texas also has no state income tax.
On a $400,000 home, the state-level transfer tax works out to roughly $0 — there is no state transfer tax here, before any county or city add-ons. County recording fees are charged per page of the document and run around $30 for the deed.
For title insurance, Texas title-insurance premiums are promulgated — set by the state and identical at every company, so you can't shop the premium itself. Texas 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 $1,500–$3,200 in origination and processing fees, and 3 months of property-tax escrow is commonly collected at closing.
Statute: Tex. Ins. Code Title 11 (promulgated title rates); no transfer-tax statute exists. Official source ↗
Texas closing cost calculator
Pre-set to Texas. Adjust your price, down payment and loan type.
Estimated closing costs
$9,782
≈ 2.45% of the home price · excludes your down payment
Cash to close
$89,782
incl. down payment
Line-by-line breakdown
Counties in Texas
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 Texas?
In Texas, buyer closing costs typically run about 2%–5% of the purchase price. The state-specific pieces are the transfer tax (none, customarily negotiable-paid), county recording fees (charged per page of the document, around $30), and title insurance. Texas does not require an attorney at closing. Use the calculator above for your price.
What is the transfer tax in Texas?
Texas's real-estate transfer tax is none and is customarily negotiable-paid. Texas is one of a handful of states with NO real-estate transfer tax — there is no deed stamp or excise tax on the sale price. Title insurance, however, uses promulgated (state-set) rates, so the owner's-policy premium is identical at every title company; you cannot shop the premium itself. Texas also has no state income tax.
Who pays closing costs in Texas?
Both buyer and seller pay different items. The transfer tax in Texas is customarily negotiable-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 Texas?
No. Texas does not require an attorney at closing; a title or escrow company typically handles settlement. You may still choose to hire one.
Other states
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