Closing costs in California: about $10,580 on a $500,000 home.

With 20% down, a buyer in California pays $6,471 to $15,495 in closing costs, so $110,580 in all on closing day. A title or escrow company runs the closing.

What California charges, and where the rule is

Transfer or stamp tax
$0
County transfer tax ($1.10 per $1,000) is customarily the seller’s, but San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose add city transfer taxes that can be split or negotiated.
Source: California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11911: documentary transfer tax
Taxes on the mortgage
$0
California doesn’t tax the mortgage itself.
Source: SmartAsset, Mortgage taxes by state (independent guide)
Recording fees
$40–$150
Filing the deed and the mortgage with the county: a flat or per-page fee, so a narrow range.
Source: Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder, Recording fees
Title insurance rates
$1,000–$2,000
The lender’s title policy, priced as a share of the loan. Your title company quotes the exact tier.
Source: California Department of Insurance, Bulletin 2025-5: title insurance filing requirements

Amounts on the example below. Sources checked October 30, 2026.

Also in California: Jul–Jun fiscal year, billed in arrears. Newer subdivisions may carry Mello-Roos assessments on top of the base tax.

The example, line by line

A $500,000 home with $100,000 down at 6.5%. Change any number; the link you copy keeps them.

Cash to close, typical

Bring about $110,580to close in California, between $106,471 and $115,495.

Down payment: $100,000.00
Closing costs, typical: $10,580.00
Cash to close: $110,580.00
Loan: $400,000.00

What to watch

At 20% down or more there’s no PMI.
The loan fits under the 2026 conforming limit of $832,750.

Closing costs, line by line

Typical, with the low–high range under it.

Origination

Appraisal fee: $735$578–$1,024
Credit report fee: $89$53–$137
Flood certification: $15$10–$25
Processing fee: $495$300–$795
Underwriting fee: $895$500–$1,395
Prepaid interest: $1,068$356–$1,781

Settlement & title

Settlement / closing fee: $1,100$700–$1,500
Lender’s title insurance: $1,500$1,000–$2,000
Title search & endorsements: $341$184–$604
Notary fee: $150$75–$275
Document delivery / wire fee: $55$25–$95

Third-party

Homeowners insurance (12 months prepaid): $1,750$1,313–$2,363
Insurance escrow (3 months): $438$292–$583
Home inspection: $604$420–$893

Taxes & government

Recording fees: $95$40–$150
Property tax escrow: $1,250$625–$1,875

Closing costs$10,580$6,471–$15,495

An estimate to plan with, not a Loan Estimate. One discount point would add $4,000.

The link keeps your numbers after the #, a part of the address browsers don’t send to any server.

Other states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington.

An estimate to plan with, not a Loan Estimate or advice. Fees vary by county, lender and title company; your Loan Estimate has the real figures three business days after you apply.

Down payment and closing costs calculator
Cash to close for a home: the down payment plus closing costs by state, with each fee line, low to high.
How much house can I afford
The highest price your income carries at a lender’s debt-to-income line, with your DTI at that price.
Closing costs in Colorado
What a buyer in Colorado pays at closing, line by line, with the state’s rules.
Closing costs in Arizona
What a buyer in Arizona pays at closing, line by line, with the state’s rules.

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Closing costs in California: about $10,580 on a $500,000 home.

What California charges, and where the rule is

Transfer or stamp tax

Taxes on the mortgage

Recording fees

Title insurance rates

The example, line by line

Related

Use your real numbers.