District of Columbia closing cost calculator

D.C. buyers pay a deed recordation tax at the same rates as the seller’s transfer tax: 1.1% under $400,000 and 1.45% at $400,000 or more, on the whole price. Qualifying first-time D.C. buyers pay a reduced rate.

District of Columbia’s rules checked September 30, 2026Runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved.

State Closing date

District of Columbia: Deed transfer tax: 1.1% to 1.45%, by price, and the seller usually pays it. Buyers also pay deed recordation tax. Owner’s title is usually paid by the buyer.

Purchase price

$

The loan

Loan type

Down payment

Interest rate

%

Term

Estimated cash to close $170,905

3.3%closing costs

Purchase price$735,000
Down payment (20%)$147,000
- Loan amount$588,000
Loan costs+$6,580
- Origination and lender feesest.+$5,880
- Appraisalest.+$700
Title and closing+$4,070
- Lender’s title insuranceest.+$647
- Owner’s title insuranceest.+$2,573
- Settlement or escrow feeest.+$600
- Recording feesest.+$250
Taxes+$3,852
- Deed recordation tax+$10,658
- Property tax credit from the sellerest.−$6,806
Prepaids and escrow+$8,953
- Homeowner’s insurance, first yearest.+$3,675
- Prepaid interest (27 days)est.+$2,827
- Property tax escrow (3 months)est.+$1,838
- Insurance escrow (2 months)est.+$613
Other costs+$450
- Home inspectionest.+$450
Cash to close$170,905

Estimated monthly payment$4,636

Principal and interest$3,717
Mortgage insurance$0
Property taxes$613
Insurance$306
HOA dues$0

An estimate, not a Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure. Your lender's Loan Estimate and the title or escrow company give the final figures. Rates, fees and insurance vary by lender and property.

Save it to your client and send it as a link. Cash-to-close sheets are free in Workspace, opening soon.Save it to your client and send it as a link. Cash-to-close sheets are free in Workspace.Save it to your client and send it as a link. Cash-to-close sheets are free in Workspace.

A District of Columbia purchase, worked out

The calculator opens on $735,000, about the median value of an owner-occupied home in District of Columbia ($733,400, 2024 Census estimate), with 20% down on a 30-year conventional loan and a closing on December 5, 2026.

The buyer brings about $170,905: $147,000 down and $23,905 in closing costs, 3.3% of the price. District of Columbia’s taxes on the buyer come to $10,658 of that: deed recordation tax $10,658. The monthly payment comes to about $4,636, with property tax and insurance.

Cash to close on $735,000, 20% down
Down payment	$147,000
Origination and lender feesest.	+$5,880
Appraisalest.	+$700
Lender’s title insuranceest.	+$647
Owner’s title insuranceest.	+$2,573
Settlement or escrow feeest.	+$600
Recording feesest.	+$250
Deed recordation tax	+$10,658
Property tax credit from the sellerest.	−$6,806
Homeowner’s insurance, first yearest.	+$3,675
Prepaid interest (27 days)est.	+$2,827
Property tax escrow (3 months)est.	+$1,838
Insurance escrow (2 months)est.	+$613
Home inspectionest.	+$450
Cash to close	$170,905

Estimates are tagged “est.”; District of Columbia’s taxes follow its rules. A “−” is a credit, like the seller’s share of this year’s property tax where it’s paid after the year ends.

At other prices

District of Columbia’s buyer taxes: the deed recordation tax (1.1% to 1.45% of the price, by amount). Each row has 20% down on a conventional loan.

Price	District of Columbia’s buyer taxes	Closing costs	Cash to close	Monthly payment
$250,000	$2,750	$9,147	$59,147	$1,597
$500,000	$7,250	$16,960	$116,960	$3,153
$750,000	$10,875	$24,350	$174,350	$4,730
$1,000,000	$14,500	$31,800	$231,800	$6,307
$2,000,000	$29,000	$61,599	$461,599	$12,613

Buying in District of Columbia: what to know

Taxes buyers pay

The buyer pays D.C.’s deed recordation tax: 1.1% of the price under $400,000 and 1.45% at $400,000 or more, on the whole price. A first-time D.C. homebuyer who meets income and price limits pays a reduced 0.725%; the price ceiling is indexed each year, so check the current figure with the Office of Tax and Revenue. The buyer’s purchase loan isn’t taxed when it is recorded with the deed.

Deed transfer tax

D.C.’s deed transfer tax is paid by the seller. On a home it is 1.1% of the entire price below $400,000 and 1.45% of the entire price at $400,000 or more, so a $399,000 sale pays $4,389 and a $400,000 sale pays $5,800. Commercial property pays 1.45% at any price.

Title insurance

The buyer customarily pays for the owner’s title policy in D.C. Confirm with your settlement company.

Who runs the closing

D.C. doesn’t require an attorney. Title and settlement companies handle closings, and some are owned by attorneys.

Property taxes and escrow

D.C.’s tax year runs October 1 to September 30 and is billed in two halves: the first is due March 31 and the second September 15. Each half is paid near the end of the period it covers, so taxes are effectively paid in arrears and the seller credits the buyer.

Buying in District of Columbia: questions

What is the recordation tax in D.C.?

It is the tax a buyer pays to record the deed: 1.1% of the whole price under $400,000 and 1.45% at $400,000 or more. On a $500,000 home it is $7,250.

Is there a first-time homebuyer break on D.C. recordation tax?

Yes. First-time D.C. homebuyers who meet the income limit and buy under the price ceiling pay a reduced rate of 0.725%. The ceiling is indexed each year, so confirm it with the Office of Tax and Revenue.

Is my mortgage taxed when I buy in D.C.?

No. A purchase loan’s deed of trust is exempt from recordation tax when it is recorded with the deed.

How much are closing costs in District of Columbia?

On a $735,000 home with 20% down on a conventional loan, the calculator’s estimates put a District of Columbia buyer’s closing costs at about $23,905, or 3.3% of the price, and cash to close at $170,905. District of Columbia’s taxes on the buyer come to $10,658 of that: deed recordation tax $10,658. Lender fees, insurance and the rate vary, so put in your lender’s Loan Estimate for a closer number.

Is anything I type saved?

No. The calculator runs in your browser and sends nothing to us. A copied link carries the numbers in the address itself, so only people you share it with can open them.