The CFPB says buyer closing costs typically run 2%–5% of the purchase price. On the $440,600 national median home that is roughly $8,800 to $22,000 — on top of your down payment — covering lender, title, government, and prepaid escrow items.
How much are closing costs on a $440,600 home?
Using the National Association of Realtors June 2026 median price of $440,600, the CFPB's 2%–5% range puts closing costs between about $8,800 and $22,000. Industry data from CoreLogic's ClosingCorp (via Bankrate) puts the national average nearer $6,000 for lender and title fees, but that figure excludes many transfer taxes and prepaid items, which is why the CFPB's percentage range runs higher.
| Home price | 2% | 3.5% | 5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $6,000 | $10,500 | $15,000 |
| $400,000 | $8,000 | $14,000 | $20,000 |
| $440,600 | $8,812 | $15,421 | $22,030 |
| $500,000 | $10,000 | $17,500 | $25,000 |
Buyer closing costs as a share of purchase price, per CFPB's 2%–5% guideline. Excludes the down payment.
What's actually in closing costs
The CFPB groups closing costs into lender charges, third-party services, government fees, and prepaids. A representative breakdown:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Loan origination / points | 0.5%–1% of loan |
| Appraisal | $300–$600+ |
| Title insurance (lender + owner) | 0.5%–1% of price |
| Recording & transfer taxes | Varies widely by state |
| Prepaids & escrow (taxes, insurance, interest) | Often the largest bucket |
Line-item ranges compiled from Bankrate's CoreLogic/ClosingCorp data; the CFPB defines the categories. Transfer taxes and title costs vary enormously by state.
Prepaids are not fees — they are ongoing costs (homeowners insurance, property-tax escrow, and interest from closing to month-end) collected upfront. Estimate the tax piece with our property tax calculator, and see how transfer taxes differ by location in our state cost guides.
Who pays, and can you roll them in?
- ·Seller concessions — sellers can cover part of your closing costs, typically capped at 2%–6% of price depending on loan type and down payment. It is negotiated in the offer.
- ·Rolling costs into the loan — allowed broadly on VA and USDA loans and in limited cases on conventional loans. You then pay interest on those costs for the life of the loan.
- ·Lender credits — you can accept a slightly higher rate in exchange for the lender covering some costs — useful if you are short on cash but plan to refinance or move before the higher rate outweighs the savings.
Ways to reduce closing costs
- Compare Loan Estimates — every lender must give you a standardized Loan Estimate; shop the ones you can control.
- Shop for title and settlement services — the CFPB lets you choose some providers; prices vary.
- Negotiate seller concessions especially in a slower market.
- Ask about lender credits if cash-to-close is the constraint.
- Close near month-end to reduce prepaid daily interest.
Once you know the cash needed, size the rest of the purchase with our affordability and down payment savings calculators, or read the full First-Time Home Buyer Guide.
Methodology
Percentage ranges use the CFPB's published guidance that buyer closing costs typically run 2%–5% of the purchase price; the example home price is the NAR June 2026 national median. Line-item ranges are compiled from CoreLogic ClosingCorp data reported by Bankrate — the CFPB defines the fee categories but does not publish per-line national dollar ranges. Transfer taxes, title costs, and prepaids vary substantially by state and lender; your Loan Estimate is the authoritative figure for your purchase.
Sources
- CFPB — Figure out how much you want to spend (closing costs 2%–5%) — accessed 2026-07-26
- CFPB — What fees are paid at closing and who pays them — accessed 2026-07-26
- Bankrate — Closing costs (CoreLogic ClosingCorp national data) — accessed 2026-07-26
- National Association of Realtors — Existing-Home Sales, June 2026 — accessed 2026-07-26