Closing Costs in Texas: The State-Regulated Title Insurance State

Texas closing costs are moderate — around **1.5-3% of the home price** — and have some unique features that set Texas apart. No real estate transfer tax. State-regulated title insurance pricing. A mandatory survey requirement. Higher-than-average property tax escrows (Texas’s effective property tax rate is the 4th highest in the US).

Use the calculator below — your state has already been selected. Adjust the home price, down payment, and loan type for an estimate calibrated to Texas.

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Estimates only — your actual closing costs depend on lender, property, locality, and the specifics of your transaction. Not financial advice. Verify all figures with a licensed lender or attorney. See our methodology below.

What's distinctive about Texas closing costs

1. No real estate transfer tax

Texas is one of a handful of US states with zero state real estate transfer tax. On a $400K home, that saves $1,000-$10,000 compared to high-transfer-tax states like New York or Pennsylvania.

2. State-regulated title insurance

Texas is one of four states (with Florida, New Mexico, and Iowa) where title insurance premiums are set by the state — the Texas Department of Insurance publishes the rate card. Title insurance costs the same at every title company in Texas, so there's no shopping benefit on the premium itself. You can shop closing/escrow fees, which are negotiable.

3. Survey requirement

Texas lenders almost always require a current survey, especially on properties without recent surveys on file. Cost: $400-$800 for a residential survey. This is often a buyer responsibility.

4. Above-average property tax escrow

Texas has no state income tax, which keeps property tax effective rates high (1.74% on average, 4th highest in the US). On a $400K home, that's $6,960/year — your lender will collect 3 months at closing ($1,740).

5. No attorney requirement

Texas uses an escrow + title company closing model similar to California. No buyer-side attorney is required (though you can hire one if you want).

How to reduce Texas closing costs

  1. Negotiate seller-paid closing costs. In typical Texas markets, sellers often pay 1-3% of closing costs as part of the deal. Ask your agent to write it into the offer.
  2. Shop the survey fee. While title insurance is fixed-price, survey services aren't. Get 2-3 quotes for the boundary survey.
  3. Compare lender origination fees. Mortgage lenders in Texas vary widely in their fees. Get three Loan Estimates and pick the lowest total cost.
  4. Time the closing for late in the month to minimize prepaid interest (the daily interest from closing day to month-end).
  5. Watch HOA/MUD fees — Texas has many Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and HOAs with transfer or capital contribution fees of $200-$800 at closing.

Frequently asked questions (Texas)

Does Texas have a real estate transfer tax?

No. Texas is one of 13 US states with no state-level real estate transfer tax on the sale of a home. This typically saves buyers and sellers $1,000-$10,000+ compared to high-transfer-tax states.

Why is Texas title insurance the same price at every company?

Texas title insurance premiums are set by the Texas Department of Insurance. All title companies must charge identical premium rates. They can compete on closing/escrow fees and customer service, but not on the title insurance premium itself.

Do I need a survey to buy a home in Texas?

Yes, in most cases. Texas lenders typically require a current survey to ensure no encroachments, boundary disputes, or easement issues. The buyer often pays $400-$800 for a residential survey.

How much will closing costs run on a $350,000 Texas home?

Roughly $5,500-$11,000 for the buyer with a conventional loan, depending on lender fees and escrow shopping. The biggest line items: title insurance ($2,000-$2,800), prepaid escrows ($1,500-$2,800), and lender origination ($1,500-$3,500).

About these estimates

The calculator above uses Texas state averages for transfer taxes, recording fees, title insurance, attorney requirements, and property tax rates — sourced from the Texas Department of Revenue, the 2024 ClosingCorp survey, the Tax Foundation 2024 property tax rankings, and state-specific regulatory tariffs. Real closing costs depend on your specific lender, the property, and the county-level rules where you're buying. For a sanity check on the calculator's output, request a Loan Estimate from your lender (federal law requires one within 3 business days of mortgage application).

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Reviewed by the CalcCottage editorial team. Updated May 14, 2026. Estimates only — not financial advice.

Closing costs in other states