- The state’s rules, as above
Pennsylvania closing cost calculator
Pennsylvania buyers customarily pay half of the transfer tax, usually about 1% of the price and about 2.29% in Philadelphia. The buyer also customarily pays for the
Compare prices
Same loan and costs, different prices. Useful for weighing
A Pennsylvania purchase, worked out
The calculator opens on $280,000, about the median value of an owner-occupied home in Pennsylvania ($277,600, 2024 Census estimate), with 20% down on a 30-year conventional loan and a closing on
The buyer brings about $68,254: $56,000 down and $12,254 in closing costs, 4.4% of the price. Pennsylvania’s taxes on the buyer come to $2,800 of that: realty transfer tax (half) $2,800. The monthly payment comes to about $1,774, with property
| Down payment | $56,000 |
|---|---|
| Origination and lender feesest. | +$2,240 |
| Appraisalest. | +$700 |
| Lender’s title insuranceest. | +$500 |
| Owner’s title insuranceest. | +$980 |
| Settlement or escrow feeest. | +$600 |
| Recording feesest. | +$250 |
| Realty transfer tax (half) | +$2,800 |
| Property taxes the seller prepaidest. | +$207 |
| Homeowner’s insurance, first yearest. | +$1,500 |
| Prepaid interest (27 days)est. | +$1,077 |
| Property tax escrow (3 months)est. | +$700 |
| Insurance escrow (2 months)est. | +$250 |
| Home inspectionest. | +$450 |
| Cash to close | $68,254 |
Estimates are tagged “est.”; Pennsylvania’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
At other prices
Pennsylvania has no state tax of its own on the buyer. The buyer usually pays half the realty transfer tax. Each row has 20% down on
| Price | Pennsylvania’s buyer taxes | Closing costs | Cash to close | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $2,500 | $11,397 | $61,397 | $1,597 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 | $19,710 | $119,710 | $3,153 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 | $28,475 | $178,475 | $4,730 |
| $1,000,000 | $10,000 | $37,300 | $237,300 | $6,307 |
| $2,000,000 | $20,000 | $72,599 | $472,599 | $12,613 |
Buying in Pennsylvania: what to know
No buyer’s taxes
Pennsylvania has no mortgage tax. The buyer’s tax is their customary half of the state and
Realty transfer tax
Pennsylvania charges a 1% state realty transfer tax, and the municipality and school district almost always add a local tax, commonly 1% combined, for about 2% in total. Buyer and seller are both liable, and the custom is a 50/50 split, so each side pays about 1%. The calculator assumes the typical 1% local rate; some municipalities, including
Title insurance
The buyer customarily pays for the owner’s policy throughout Pennsylvania. Title rates are filed by the Title Insurance Rating Bureau of Pennsylvania, so they don’t vary
Who runs the closing
Title and settlement companies close Pennsylvania sales. An
Property taxes and escrow
Pennsylvania taxes are paid in advance: county and municipal taxes are billed early in the calendar year, and school taxes around July for the July-to-June school year. The buyer reimburses the seller for
Local differences
Philadelphia charges a city tax of 3.578% (since July 1, 2025) on top of the state’s 1%, for 4.578% in total, usually split evenly. On a $300,000 sale that is $13,734, or
Pennsylvania by county
Most of Pennsylvania follows the rules above. These counties add a tax of their own, set a different rate or change who pays, and the calculator applies them when you pick one. Amounts are what the buyer usually pays in transfer and deed taxes on $280,000 with 20% down, plus the owner’s title policy where the buyer
- Philadelphia’s 3.578% city tax
Buying in Pennsylvania: questions
How much transfer tax does a buyer pay in Pennsylvania?
Usually half the total, about 1% of the price where the local rate is 1%, and about
Who pays for title insurance in Pennsylvania?
The buyer customarily pays for the owner’s
Is there a mortgage tax in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania buyers pay recording fees on the mortgage but no tax
How much are closing costs in Pennsylvania?
On a $280,000 home with 20% down on a conventional loan, the calculator’s estimates put a Pennsylvania buyer’s closing costs at about $12,254, or 4.4% of the price, and cash to close at $68,254. Pennsylvania’s taxes on the buyer come to $2,800 of that: realty transfer tax (half) $2,800. Lender fees, insurance and the rate vary, so put in your lender’s Loan Estimate for
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
Sources
Pennsylvania’s rules were checked against these on
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Further reading
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