Transfer Tax Calculator

Look up real estate transfer tax rates for all 50 states. Calculate your state, county, and city transfer tax by entering the sale price and selecting your state.

$
Total Transfer Tax
$8,000
2.000% of $400,000
State Tax (1.000%)
$4,000
County Tax (1.000%)
$4,000
Total Rate
2.000%

Transfer tax for $400,000 sale price across three states:

PA (Your State)
$8,000
Total rate: 2.000%
County: $4,000
TX
$0
Total rate: 0.000%
No transfer tax
NY
$5,600
Total rate: 1.400%
City: $4,000

High transfer tax states: DE, NH, VT, PA, MD

No transfer tax: TX, AK, AZ, ID, IN, KS, LA, MS, MO, MT, NM, ND, UT, WY

$
$
$
$
Total Transaction Costs
$11,000
2.8% of sale price
Transfer Tax: $8,000
Title Insurance: $1,500
Attorney/Settlement: $800
Recording Fees: $200
Other: $500
Transfer Tax
$8,000
2.000% of sale price
Title Insurance
$1,500
Required by lender
Attorney/Settlement
$800
Varies by state
Recording Fees
$200
Government filing fees
Total Closing Costs
$11,000
All transaction fees
% of Sale Price
2.8%
Typical range: 2-5%

How to Use This Transfer Tax Calculator

Select your State from the dropdown and enter the Sale Price. The calculator instantly shows the state-level transfer tax, county tax (where applicable), and any city-level tax. Total transfer tax is shown along with the combined rate.

Note that transfer tax rates and who pays them vary by state and local custom. Your real estate contract should specify who pays — it's negotiable in most states.

How Transfer Tax Is Calculated

Transfer Tax = Sale Price × (State Rate + County Rate + City Rate)

Example — Pennsylvania (state 1% + county 1%):
$400,000 × 2% = $8,000 total transfer tax

Example — Texas (no transfer tax):
$400,000 × 0% = $0

Some states use a flat rate per $100 or $500 of value (e.g., $0.55 per $100)

Example: Transfer Tax in High-Tax vs Zero-Tax States

$500,000 Home Purchase — Transfer Tax Comparison

Delaware (state + county)$15,000 (3%)
Pennsylvania (state + county)$10,000 (2%)
New Hampshire$7,500 (1.5%)
Washington (up to $500K)$5,500 (1.1%)
California (state + county)~$825 (0.165%)
Texas$0 (no transfer tax)
Florida~$3,500 (0.7%)

Transfer taxes range from zero to 3%+ depending on state. In high-tax states, this is a significant closing cost often overlooked by buyers and sellers budgeting for their transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

A real estate transfer tax is charged when property ownership changes hands. It's calculated as a percentage of the sale price and paid at closing. Also called deed transfer tax, documentary stamp tax, or conveyance tax depending on the state.
Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, and Utah have no state transfer tax. However, some counties or municipalities within these states may still impose local transfer taxes.
It varies by state and is often negotiable. In many states (NY, FL, GA), the seller typically pays. In others like Delaware and New Hampshire, it's split 50/50. In Pennsylvania, it's traditionally split, but negotiable. Your purchase contract should specify the arrangement.
Many states exempt certain transfers: transfers between spouses, inheritance transfers, gifts to family members, and transactions below a minimum threshold. Some states exempt first-time homebuyers or primary residences. Check with a local real estate attorney or title company for applicable exemptions.
Yes, transfer tax appears on your Closing Disclosure as part of closing costs. It's typically one of the larger line items at closing in states with significant rates. Budget for it carefully — a 2% transfer tax on a $500,000 home is $10,000.

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