Closing Cost Estimator
Get a detailed estimate of your mortgage closing costs. See lender fees, third-party fees, government charges, and prepaid items — so you know exactly how much cash you need at the closing table.
Last updated October 18, 2026
How our math works
- 30-year fixed-rate loan at 6.75% interest
- Fees are typical estimates for CA and vary by lender, provider, and transaction
- Rates shown are interest rates used for estimation only — not APRs and not offers. APR reflects fees and other loan costs and may differ from the interest rate shown.
My scenario
Enter income, debts, price, and rate once. Every calculator pre-fills.
Location
Optional — refines the state estimate
Home & Loan
$
%
%
%
Assumption — varies by lender (0–1% is common) and is often negotiable
Prepaids & Escrow
$
Estimated from your location — override with your quote
%
Estimated from your location — override if you know the local rate
months
Months of property tax collected once at closing to open escrow
days
Credits
%
Percentage of home price the seller covers
Total Cash Needed at Closing
$103,078
$90,000 down + $13,078 closing costs
$13,078
2.9% of price$90,000
20% down$0
None$360,000
Cost Breakdown
Where your closing costs go
Closing Costs: Lender Fees $4,920, Third-Party Fees $3,050, Government Fees $620, Prepaid Items $4,488.
Lender Fees
$4,920
Third-Party Fees
$3,050
Government Fees
$620
Prepaid Items
$4,488
Itemized Closing Costs
Every fee explained
Lender Fees
$4,920
Loan Origination Fee (1% assumed)
$3,600
Credit Report
$50
Flood Certification
$20
Underwriting Fee
$750
Processing Fee
$500
Third-Party Fees
$3,050
Appraisal
$550
Title Insurance
$1,800
Title Search
$300
Survey (if required)
$400
Government Fees
$620
Recording Fee
$125
Transfer Tax (California est.)
$495
Prepaid Items
$4,488
Prepaid Interest (15 days)
$999
Prepaid Homeowners Insurance (1 year)
$1,800
Escrow Prefund — Property Taxes (3 months)
$1,239
Escrow Prefund — Insurance (3 months)
$450
Total Closing Costs
$13,078
Paid Outside Closing
$400
Home Inspection
$400
Key Insights
What these numbers mean for you
Insight
Your estimated closing costs are $13,078 (2.9% of the home price). The national average is 2-5%.
Cash Needed
You'll need $103,078 total cash at closing: $90,000 down payment + $13,078 closing costs.
Insight
In California, closings are typically handled by a title or escrow company — no attorney fee is required, so we excluded it.
Insight
Transfer tax is estimated at the California statewide rate (0.11%). California closings are handled by escrow companies, not attorneys. Documentary transfer tax is $1.10 per $1,000 at the county level; some cities add more.
Insight
Prepaid and escrow items make up 34% of your closing costs. Property tax is collected once — 3 months into escrow — never double-counted as both prepaid and escrow.
Insight
About $400 (home inspection) is paid outside closing — budget for it, but it isn't part of your cash to close.
Pro Tip
The origination fee ($3,600) assumes 1% of the loan — adjust it to match your lender. It's often negotiable, and some lenders waive it for a slightly higher rate.
The Bottom Line
To buy a $450,000 home with 20% down, you'll need approximately $103,078 in cash at closing. That's $90,000 for the down payment plus $13,078 in closing costs (2.9% of the home price).
Here are the exact formulas behind your numbers. No black boxes — just math.
Closing Cost Breakdown
Lender Fees
Third-Party Fees
Government Fees
Prepaids
Total Closing Costs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 2-5% of the loan amount. On a $400,000 purchase that is roughly $8,000-$20,000, covering lender fees, title insurance, appraisal, government recording and transfer taxes, plus prepaid property taxes, insurance, and interest.
Lender origination fees, title insurance (shop it — prices vary widely by provider in most states), and some third-party services are negotiable or shoppable. Government taxes and recording fees are fixed. You can also ask the seller for credits toward your costs.
On a refinance, usually yes — costs are added to the new balance, and you pay interest on them. On a purchase, generally no; instead you can take a lender credit (higher rate, lower cash due) or negotiate seller concessions.