Last updated: 2026-04-25
Unsure if your lender’s transfer tax is competitive? Run a Fair Loan Check.
Benchmarked against 94,434 real Pennsylvania mortgages.
| Range | Low | Typical | High | Flag Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Tax | $0.00/thousand | $2.00/thousand | $10.00/thousand | $15.00/thousand |
Based on Pennsylvania closing cost data. Median home price: $290,000. Rates shown per $1,000 of coverage or sale price.
Data source: HMDA Modified Loan Application Register 2025, published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Statistics reflect originated first-lien purchase mortgages on owner-occupied principal residences. Medians exclude loans with exempt or unreported fee disclosures. Learn more at ffiec.cfpb.gov.
Transfer taxes (also called deed stamps, documentary stamps, or excise taxes) are taxes imposed by state, county, or city governments when real property changes hands. The tax is typically calculated as a rate per thousand dollars of the sale price. Transfer taxes appear in Section E of your Closing Disclosure.
Transfer tax rules vary enormously by state. About 13 states impose no transfer tax at all (including Texas, Indiana, and Wyoming). Others charge modest rates ($1 to $3 per thousand). A few states and cities have very high rates — New York City's combined transfer taxes can exceed 2% of the sale price.
This fee appears in Section E — Taxes and Other Government Fees of your Closing Disclosure.
The transfer tax appears at two stages of the mortgage process — each with its own audit tool.
Before closing · Loan Estimate
Fair Loan Check
You received a Loan Estimate within 3 days of applying. Use this to check whether your transfer tax and interest rate are competitive — before you commit to a lender.
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Analyze my Loan Estimate →3 days before closing · Closing Disclosure
Fair Closing Check
You received your Closing Disclosure 3 days before signing. Use this to audit every final fee — including the transfer tax — against Pennsylvania benchmarks and get a negotiation email.
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Transfer taxes in Pennsylvania are set by law and non-negotiable. They are customarily paid by the split. Who pays can be renegotiated in the purchase contract.
Pennsylvania note
Pennsylvania state realty transfer tax: 1% of purchase price (72 P.S. § 8101-C). Local transfer tax: typically 1% total (0.5% to municipality + 0.5% to school district), making the standard combined rate 2% total — split equally between buyer and seller. Notable higher-rate jurisdictions: Philadelphia 3.578% city + 1% state = 4.578% total (city rate increased from 3.278% effective July 1, 2025); Pittsburgh 4% local + 1% state = 5% total; Reading 4% local + 1% state = 5% total; Wilkes-Barre 2.5% local + 1% state = 3.5% total. Some rural municipalities charge only 0.5% local, making total 1.5%. Transfer tax is customarily split equally between buyer and seller, but is negotiable by contract. Philadelphia's 3.578% city rate increased effective July 1, 2025 (from 3.278%) — the previously scheduled 2037 reduction to 3.178% was also rescinded. Pittsburgh and Reading (both 5% total) are the highest after Philadelphia. Always verify the local municipality rate before quoting closing costs — it varies significantly county-by-county and borough-by-borough.
Upload your Closing Disclosure to see if your transfer tax is fair
Every fee is cross-referenced against Pennsylvania benchmarks. Results in 60 seconds.
Transfer tax rate doesn't match the published state or county rate for your jurisdiction
Transfer tax charged in a state that has no transfer tax
Buyer is being charged a transfer tax that is customarily paid by the seller in that state
City or county transfer tax is missing when the jurisdiction imposes one
See these red flags on your CD? Don't sign yet.
Upload your Closing Disclosure and every line item is audited against Pennsylvania benchmarks — in 60 seconds.
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No. About 13 states have no transfer tax at any level — including Texas, Indiana, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, Alaska, Louisiana, and Oregon.
It depends on the state and the contract. In many states, the seller customarily pays. In others, it's the buyer or split. The purchase contract can override local custom, so check your agreement.
The tax rate itself cannot be negotiated — it's set by law. But who pays it can be negotiated in the purchase contract. Some buyers successfully negotiate for the seller to cover transfer taxes as a concession.
You have 3 days to review your Closing Disclosure.
Federal law gives you 72 hours to push back before you sign. Every fee is cross-referenced against Pennsylvania benchmarks and the negotiation email is drafted for you.
Most buyers find $1,500–$3,000 in negotiable fees.
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