State statutory rates only. Local surcharges vary — confirm totals with your title company or escrow officer.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your home sale price in the first field and select the state where the property is located. The calculator instantly shows the estimated state-level transfer tax, the effective rate, who typically pays, and whether significant local surcharges apply.
For states with city or county add-ons (California, New York, Illinois, etc.), use the detailed calculators below or our main tool to factor in local taxes.
States with the Highest Transfer Tax
These states have the highest state-level real estate transfer tax rates:
- Delaware — 2% state + 1.5% county = 3.5% combined
- New Hampshire — 1.5% (split between buyer and seller)
- Washington D.C. — 1.1–1.45% each (graduated)
- Vermont — 1.25–1.45% depending on use
- Washington State — 1.28–3% (graduated on $525K+)
- Connecticut — 0.75–1.25% + 0.25% local
- New Jersey — up to 1.21% (graduated)
Note: New York and California have low state rates, but their city-level taxes make the total burden much higher in NYC and San Francisco.
States with No Transfer Tax
City-Specific Transfer Tax Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
A transfer tax calculator gives you a reliable estimate of the state-level statutory rate. It may not include city or county surcharges, graduated rate tiers for your exact price, or specific exemptions you may qualify for. Use it as a planning tool and confirm the final amount with your title company before closing.
Our main calculator includes the NYC mansion tax when you select New York and choose the NYC option. The mansion tax is a buyer-paid surcharge that applies to NYC residential sales of $1M or more, with rates from 1% to 3.9%. New Jersey also has a 1% mansion tax on sales over $1M.
Common closing costs beyond transfer tax include: title insurance (0.5–1% of sale price), recording fees ($50–$250), attorney fees (if required), lender fees and origination charges (buyer), home inspection, survey fees, and prepaid items (insurance, property taxes). Total closing costs typically run 2–5% of the sale price.
For a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transaction, the transfer tax is the same as any other sale — it's based on the sale price and the state/local rate. Enter your agreed sale price and state above. Whoever is responsible per your purchase agreement (typically the seller) must pay the amount to the county recorder at closing.