Texas Closing Cost Calculator (2026)
Texas has no state transfer tax — one of the biggest closing-cost advantages in the US. Estimate your total buyer closing costs including promulgated title insurance, survey, lender fees, and Texas property tax prepaids.
Texas Title Insurance Rates (TDI, 2026)
Texas title insurance rates are set by the state (Texas Department of Insurance). Every title company charges the same rate — you cannot negotiate the premium, only the service quality.
| Purchase Price | Owner Policy (seller pays) | Lender Policy (buyer pays) |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | ~$1,322 | ~$732 |
| $300,000 | ~$1,680 | ~$950 |
| $400,000 | ~$2,032 | ~$1,155 |
| $500,000 | ~$2,395 | ~$1,360 |
| $750,000 | ~$3,270 | ~$1,880 |
Simultaneous issue discount applies when both policies are purchased together. Source: TDI Basic Rate Chart.
Texas Property Tax by Major County
| County | Effective Tax Rate | Annual Tax on $350k Home |
|---|---|---|
| Harris (Houston) | 2.13% | $7,455 |
| Dallas | 2.18% | $7,630 |
| Tarrant (Fort Worth) | 2.26% | $7,910 |
| Travis (Austin) | 1.97% | $6,895 |
| Bexar (San Antonio) | 2.09% | $7,315 |
| Collin (Plano/Frisco) | 1.72% | $6,020 |
| Denton | 1.88% | $6,580 |
| El Paso | 2.44% | $8,540 |
Texas Closing Cost Rules — What Makes Texas Different
No State Transfer Tax — A Major Buyer Advantage
Texas does not impose a real estate transfer tax, deed tax, or documentary stamp tax at the state or county level. This saves buyers and sellers thousands of dollars compared to states like Florida ($0.70/$100 doc stamps), California ($1.10–$25/$1,000), or New York (up to $1.25/$500 + mansion tax). On a $500,000 Texas purchase, the transfer tax savings vs. Florida alone exceed $3,500.
Texas Title Insurance — Promulgated Rates
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) sets all title insurance rates under the Texas Title Insurance Act. Unlike most states where title companies compete on price, in Texas every company charges the same base rate. The rate structure uses a declining scale per $1,000 of value:
| Value Range | Rate per $1,000 |
|---|---|
| $0 – $100,000 | $5.75 per $1,000 (min $100) |
| $100,001 – $1,000,000 | $5.00 per $1,000 |
| $1,000,001 – $5,000,000 | $4.00 per $1,000 |
| Over $5,000,000 | $3.50 per $1,000 |
A simultaneous issue discount applies when the lender and owner policies are issued together — the second policy (usually the lender's) is charged at a discounted rate of $100 plus 15% of the basic premium.
Survey Requirement
Texas lenders almost universally require a current survey of the property as a condition of issuing the lender's title policy. A survey confirms property boundaries, easements, encroachments, and improvements. If the seller has a survey dated within approximately 5–10 years with no changes to the property, the title company may accept it with a T-47 Residential Real Property Affidavit from the seller. Otherwise, a new survey is ordered at the buyer's expense — typically $400–$750 for a standard residential lot.
Texas Property Taxes — High Rates, No Income Tax Trade-Off
Texas has no state income tax, but compensates with high property tax rates — among the highest in the nation. The statewide average effective rate is approximately 1.7% – 2.5% of appraised value. Because Texas is a non-disclosure state (sale prices are not public), county appraisal districts (CADs) use mass appraisal models to set assessed values, which can differ from the actual purchase price in the first year.
Homeowners Insurance — Texas Rates Among Highest Nationally
Texas homeowners insurance is significantly more expensive than the national average due to hurricane/tropical storm risk on the Gulf Coast, hailstorm exposure across the state, and tornado risk in North Texas. Average annual premiums by market:
| City / Region | Average Annual HO Premium | Key Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Houston / Harris County | $2,200 – $4,000 | Hurricane, flood, hail |
| Dallas / Fort Worth | $2,000 – $3,500 | Hail, tornado, severe storm |
| Austin / Travis County | $1,600 – $2,800 | Hail, wildfire (western suburbs) |
| San Antonio / Bexar | $1,500 – $2,500 | Hail, severe storm |
| Corpus Christi / Coastal | $3,000 – $6,000+ | Hurricane, windstorm |
Worked Example: $350,000 Home, Dallas County, Conventional 20% Down
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Down Payment (20%) | $70,000 | |
| Loan Origination (0.75% of $280k) | $2,100 | Lender fee |
| Appraisal | $550 | |
| Title Insurance — Lender Policy | $950 | TDI rate, simultaneous issue |
| Title Insurance — Owner Policy | $0 | Seller pays by TX custom |
| Survey | $550 | Required by lender |
| Escrow / Closing Fee | $500 | |
| Recording Fee | $150 | Dallas County |
| State Transfer Tax | $0 | Texas has no transfer tax |
| Prepaid Property Tax (2 mo, 2.18%) | $1,272 | Based on $7,630/yr Dallas |
| Prepaid HO Insurance (1 year) | $2,200 | Dallas estimate |
| Estimated Total Cash to Close | ~$78,272 |