Home Selling Costs by State (2026 Data)

The average American spends 8-10% of their home’s sale price on selling costs, but the exact amount swings wildly depending on where you live. A seller in Montana pays an estimated 8.0% in total costs, while a seller in Delaware may pay 10.0% or more once commissions, transfer taxes, and mandatory attorney fees are added up.

We compiled commission rates, transfer tax rates, attorney requirements, and closing cost estimates for all 50 states using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the U.S. Census Bureau, state revenue departments, and Zillow Research. Below you’ll find the most comprehensive, single-page breakdown of home selling costs by state available anywhere—plus deep dives on the 10 highest-volume states and links to hyper-local data for 2,890+ cities.

Which States Are Cheapest and Most Expensive to Sell In?

Top 5 Cheapest States to Sell a Home

Sellers in states with no transfer tax and moderate commission rates save thousands compared to the national average. These five states have the lowest estimated total selling costs as a percentage of sale price:

1. California — 8.0% estimated total costs. Median home price: $750,000. Transfer tax: $1.10/$1,000. See California city pages →
2. Montana — 8.0% estimated total costs. Median home price: $430,000. No state transfer tax. See Montana city pages →
3. Utah — 8.0% estimated total costs. Median home price: $480,000. No state transfer tax. See Utah city pages →
4. Arizona — 8.1% estimated total costs. Median home price: $430,000. Transfer tax: $2 flat fee. See Arizona city pages →
5. Idaho — 8.1% estimated total costs. Median home price: $450,000. No state transfer tax. See Idaho city pages →

Top 5 Most Expensive States to Sell a Home

High transfer taxes and mandatory attorney fees push total selling costs above 9.5% in these states. If you’re selling in one of these markets, reducing your commission through a flat-fee service becomes even more impactful:

1. Delaware — 10.0% estimated total costs. Median home price: $350,000. Attorney required at closing. See Delaware city pages →
2. Vermont — 9.8% estimated total costs. Median home price: $350,000. Attorney required at closing. See Vermont city pages →
3. New York — 9.8% estimated total costs. Median home price: $430,000. Attorney required at closing. See New York city pages →
4. West Virginia — 9.6% estimated total costs. Median home price: $155,000. Attorney required at closing. See West Virginia city pages →
5. New Hampshire — 9.5% estimated total costs. Median home price: $430,000. Attorney required at closing. See New Hampshire city pages →

States With the Highest Transfer Taxes

Transfer taxes are often the most overlooked cost in a home sale. While 11 states charge no transfer tax at all, others levy significant fees that can add thousands to your closing costs:

• Delaware — 3% (typically split between buyer and seller, with 1.5% each)
• Washington — 1.28% to 3%, on a graduated scale based on sale price
• Vermont — 1.25% of the sale price
• Connecticut — 0.75% to 1.25%, varying by municipality and price
• Pennsylvania — 1% from each party (2% total), one of the highest combined rates
• New York — $4 per $1,000 base rate, plus a “mansion tax” of 1% on sales above $1 million
• New Hampshire — $7.50 per $1,000, among the highest flat-rate states

States That Require an Attorney at Closing

Roughly 22 states require or strongly recommend attorney involvement in real estate closings, adding $500 to $2,000+ to the seller’s costs. Attorney states include:

Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia.

In these states, the attorney typically handles title review, document preparation, and closing oversight. While this adds cost, it can also provide legal protection against title issues and contract disputes.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in California?

Selling a home in California costs approximately 8.0% of the sale price—roughly $60,000 on the statewide median of $750,000. Here’s how that breaks down:

• Agent commissions: 5.1% average ($38,250 on the median home)
• Transfer tax: $1.10 per $1,000 of sale price ($825 on median). Some cities add local taxes—Los Angeles charges $4.50/$1,000, and San Francisco charges $6.80/$1,000 on most sales with higher graduated rates above $5M.
• Title insurance & escrow: $3,000-$5,500 depending on county
• Natural hazard disclosure: $100-$200 (California-specific requirement)
• Attorney: Not required, but optional at $300-$600/hour

California’s Proposition 13 caps property tax increases at 2% annually, which doesn’t directly affect selling costs but means long-term homeowners often have low tax bases that reset for the buyer at sale. The state also requires extensive seller disclosures including the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) and Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD).

With Ridley’s Essentials plan at $999, a California seller with a $750,000 home could replace the typical 2.5% listing commission ($18,750) with a flat fee, saving over $17,000.

Explore local costs: Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | All California cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Texas?

Texas sellers pay approximately 8.2% in total selling costs, which comes to about $27,880 on the statewide median of $340,000. Texas is one of the more affordable states to sell in, largely because it has no state transfer tax.

• Agent commissions: 5.5% average ($18,700 on the median)
• Transfer tax: None. Texas is one of 11 states with no state-level transfer tax.
• Title insurance: $2,500-$4,000. Texas has regulated title insurance rates set by the state, so costs are consistent across providers.
• Closing/escrow fees: $500-$1,500
• Attorney: Not required. Title companies handle most closings.

One Texas-specific cost to watch: property taxes are among the highest in the nation (averaging 1.8% of assessed value). Sellers must prorate taxes through the closing date, which can mean a significant check if you close late in the year before paying the annual bill.

Texas has no state income tax, which makes the absence of a transfer tax even more impactful for sellers. The total tax-related friction of selling in Texas is among the lowest in the country.

Explore local costs: Houston | Dallas | Austin | All Texas cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Florida?

Florida sellers face estimated total costs of 8.7%—about $34,800 on the statewide median of $400,000. Florida’s documentary stamp tax and title insurance customs push costs higher than many Southern states.

• Agent commissions: 5.4% average ($21,600 on the median)
• Documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 of the sale price ($2,800 on median). Miami-Dade County uses a lower $0.60 rate.
• Title insurance: In Florida, the seller customarily pays for the buyer’s owner’s title policy. Cost: $1,500-$3,500.
• Estoppel letter: $250-$500 for HOA/condo associations (very common in Florida)
• Attorney: Not required, though common in South Florida transactions

Florida has the highest rate of HOA-governed properties in the nation. If your property is in an HOA or condo association, budget an additional $250-$500 for estoppel letters and any outstanding assessment fees that must be cleared before closing.

Explore local costs: Miami | Orlando | Tampa | All Florida cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in New York?

New York is one of the most expensive states to sell a home, with estimated total costs of 9.8%—about $42,140 on the statewide median of $430,000. New York City sellers face even higher costs due to additional city-level taxes.

• Agent commissions: 5.0% average ($21,500 on the median). NYC commissions sometimes run 5-6% due to co-op and condo requirements.
• Transfer tax: $4 per $1,000 statewide ($1,720 on median). NYC adds 1% (or 1.425% above $500K). Properties above $1M trigger the “mansion tax” of 1-3.9%.
• Attorney: Required. Budget $2,000-$5,000. NYC closings are especially complex.
• Title insurance: $2,000-$4,000
• Flip tax (co-ops): Some NYC co-ops charge 1-3% on resale

A New York City seller with a $1.5 million apartment could pay over $150,000 in total selling costs when mansion taxes, co-op flip taxes, and attorney fees are added to commissions. This is the market where commission savings have the highest dollar impact.

Explore local costs: New York City | Buffalo | Albany | All New York cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Colorado?

Colorado sellers pay an estimated 8.3% in total costs—about $45,650 on the statewide median of $550,000. Colorado has one of the lowest transfer tax rates in the country.

• Agent commissions: 5.5% average ($30,250 on the median)
• Transfer tax: 0.01% of sale price ($55 on the median)—functionally a rounding error
• Title insurance: $1,500-$3,500. Colorado uses regulated rates.
• Closing fees: $500-$1,200
• Attorney: Not required. Colorado uses title companies for closing.

Colorado’s nearly nonexistent transfer tax is a major advantage for sellers. However, the state’s high median home price means commission costs are substantial in dollar terms. A flat-fee listing through Ridley at $999 would replace approximately $13,750-$16,500 in listing-side commission on the median-priced Colorado home.

Explore local costs: Denver | Colorado Springs | Boulder | All Colorado cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Arizona?

Arizona’s estimated total selling costs of 8.1% are among the lowest in the nation—about $34,830 on the statewide median of $430,000. The state charges a flat $2 transfer tax regardless of sale price, making it functionally zero.

• Agent commissions: 5.3% average ($22,790 on the median)
• Transfer tax: A flat $2 fee. This is not a percentage—it is literally two dollars.
• Title insurance & escrow: $2,000-$4,000
• Home warranty: Sellers commonly provide a one-year home warranty ($400-$600)
• Attorney: Not required

Arizona’s Affidavit of Property Value is required at every sale and filed with the county recorder. It’s a disclosure document, not a cost, but failing to file it delays closing. Arizona also has relatively high HOA prevalence in metro Phoenix, so budget for HOA document fees ($200-$400).

Explore local costs: Phoenix | Tucson | Scottsdale | All Arizona cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Georgia?

Georgia sellers pay approximately 9.3% in total costs—about $32,550 on the statewide median of $350,000. Georgia is an attorney state, which adds to baseline closing costs.

• Agent commissions: 5.8% average ($20,300 on the median)—one of the higher rates nationally
• Transfer tax: $1 per $1,000 of sale price ($350 on the median). Also called the “intangibles tax.”
• Attorney: Required. Budget $800-$1,500 for a standard closing.
• Title insurance: $1,000-$2,500
• Seller’s disclosure: Georgia requires a comprehensive seller’s property disclosure, though “as-is” sales are common

Metro Atlanta has one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the Southeast. While statewide medians are moderate, Atlanta-area home prices are often 20-40% higher, increasing the dollar impact of commission rates. Georgia’s 5.8% average commission is notably above the national average.

Explore local costs: Atlanta | Savannah | Augusta | All Georgia cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Illinois?

Illinois sellers face estimated total costs of 9.4%—about $25,380 on the statewide median of $270,000. Transfer taxes vary significantly by county and municipality, making Illinois one of the most complex states for predicting seller costs.

• Agent commissions: 5.2% average ($14,040 on the median)
• Transfer tax: State rate is $0.50 per $500. Cook County adds $0.25 per $500. City of Chicago adds $3.75 per $500 (plus an additional $1.50/$500 on properties above $1M as of 2024).
• Attorney: Required. $500-$1,500 for standard residential closings.
• Title insurance: $1,500-$3,000
• Credit to buyer for transfer stamps: In Chicago, it’s customary for the seller to pay the city and county transfer taxes, while the buyer pays the state portion

A Chicago seller can pay 4-5x more in transfer taxes than a seller downstate due to layered city and county surcharges. On a $400,000 Chicago home, total transfer taxes come to approximately $4,500—compared to $400 on the same sale price in Springfield.

Explore local costs: Chicago | Naperville | Springfield | All Illinois cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in North Carolina?

North Carolina’s estimated total selling costs of 9.0% equal roughly $31,500 on the statewide median of $350,000. The state has moderate transfer taxes and requires attorney involvement at closing.

• Agent commissions: 5.5% average ($19,250 on the median)
• Excise tax (transfer tax): $1 per $500 of sale price ($700 on median). This is called the “revenue stamp” or “excise tax” in NC.
• Attorney: Required. $400-$1,200 for residential closing.
• Title insurance: $1,000-$2,000
• HOA disclosure packet: $100-$250 (common in Charlotte and Raleigh metro areas)

North Carolina’s Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham) and Charlotte metro areas have seen significant price appreciation, pushing local medians well above the statewide figure. The state also has no local transfer tax surcharges, making costs more predictable than states like Illinois or New York.

Explore local costs: Charlotte | Raleigh | Asheville | All North Carolina cities →

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in Washington?

Washington state has some of the highest transfer taxes in the country, pushing estimated total selling costs to 9.0%—approximately $52,200 on the statewide median of $580,000.

• Agent commissions: 5.5% average ($31,900 on the median)
• Real Estate Excise Tax (REET): Graduated rates from 1.28% (under $525,000) up to 3.0% (above $3M). On the $580,000 median, REET is approximately $7,540.
• Title insurance & escrow: $2,500-$5,000
• Attorney: Not required, though common in complex transactions

Washington’s graduated REET means high-value sellers in Seattle and Bellevue pay substantially more than the base rate. A $2 million home in Seattle faces a REET bill of roughly $36,000 alone. Combined with commissions, total costs on a $2M sale can exceed $180,000.

Washington has no state income tax, so the REET functions partly as a capital gains capture at the point of sale. In 2023, Washington also enacted a 7% capital gains tax on gains above $250,000 from the sale of certain assets, though primary residences are currently exempt.

Explore local costs: Seattle | Bellevue | Tacoma | All Washington cities →

What Are the Biggest Costs When Selling a Home?

Regardless of state, the same four categories make up the vast majority of selling costs. Understanding each one helps you identify where savings are possible.

Real Estate Agent Commissions (5-6%)

Commissions are the single largest expense in any home sale, typically consuming 50-65% of total selling costs. The traditional model splits a 5-6% commission between the listing agent (seller’s agent) and the buyer’s agent.

Following the landmark 2024 NAR settlement, commission structures are shifting. Buyers are now more aware that they may need to negotiate their agent’s compensation separately. For sellers, this creates an opportunity: you can choose to offer a buyer’s agent commission (commonly 2.5-3%) while replacing your listing-side commission with a flat-fee service.

Ridley’s Essentials plan ($999) and Pro plan ($3,499) replace the 2.5-3% listing commission. On a $400,000 home, that’s $9,000-$12,000 in savings. Learn more about how flat-fee real estate works and how it compares to FSBO and traditional agents.

Transfer Taxes (0-3%)

Transfer taxes (also called documentary stamps, excise taxes, or revenue stamps depending on the state) are levied when property changes hands. They range from literally $0 (in states like Texas and Montana) to 3% or more in Delaware and high-bracket Washington sales.

Transfer taxes are the most variable cost across states and the one sellers have the least control over. They’re set by state and local law and cannot be negotiated down. However, in many states, the split between buyer and seller is negotiable—check local customs and your purchase contract.

Title Insurance and Escrow (1-2%)

Title insurance protects against ownership disputes, and escrow services manage the closing process. Together they typically cost 1-2% of the sale price. In some states (notably Florida), the seller customarily pays for the buyer’s title policy. In others, the buyer pays. This is negotiable.

Miscellaneous Closing Costs (0.5-1.5%)

This catch-all includes recording fees, prorated property taxes, HOA transfer fees, survey costs, home warranty (if offered), repair credits, and any agreed-upon seller concessions. These costs are partially negotiable and vary by transaction.

How Can You Reduce the Cost of Selling Your Home?

While you can’t change your state’s transfer tax rate, you can control the largest cost: agent commissions. Here are the most effective strategies:

1. Use a flat-fee listing service. Services like Ridley replace the 2.5-3% listing commission with a flat fee starting at $999. This is the single highest-impact move for most sellers. See our full cost-to-sell analysis.
2. Negotiate the buyer’s agent commission. Post-NAR settlement, offering 2-2.5% instead of the traditional 3% is increasingly common. Some sellers are offering even less and allowing buyers to negotiate directly with their agents.
3. Shop for title insurance. In states that don’t regulate rates, you can save $500-$1,500 by comparing providers. Ask your escrow officer for at least two quotes.
4. Time your sale to minimize prorated tax exposure. Selling early in the calendar year can reduce the prorated property tax bill you owe at closing.
5. Handle minor repairs yourself. Buyer-requested repair credits are negotiable. Getting your own quotes and completing repairs before listing often costs less than the credits buyers request.

For a complete walkthrough, read our guide on how to sell a house without a traditional realtor.

Get Hyper-Local Selling Costs for Your City

State averages are a starting point, but real estate costs vary significantly at the city and county level. Transfer taxes, title insurance rates, and local customs can shift your actual costs by 1-2% compared to the state average.

Ridley maintains selling cost data for over 2,890 cities and 22,900 neighborhoods across all 50 states. Each city page includes local market data, median home prices, days on market, and a cost-to-sell estimate specific to that market.

Start at getridley.com/sell to find your city, or jump directly to a state page:

Methodology and Data Sources

The data in this guide was compiled from the following sources:

• Commission rates: National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2025 Member Profile and state-level surveys
• Median home prices: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, using the most recent available data (Q4 2025/Q1 2026)
• Transfer tax rates: State revenue department publications and tax code, verified as of January 2026
• Attorney requirements: State bar association guidelines and real estate licensing board regulations
• Total cost estimates: Calculated by summing average commissions, state-level transfer taxes, title insurance estimates, and typical closing costs. Actual costs will vary based on sale price, local taxes, and negotiated terms.

All figures are estimates based on statewide averages. Individual transactions may vary significantly based on local market conditions, property type, and negotiated terms. Transfer tax rates reflect state-level rates only; cities and counties may impose additional surcharges. Commission rates are averages for both agents combined and reflect pre-negotiation starting points.

Frequently Asked Questions