Median Total Costs
$5,007
−25.0% vs national ($6,680)
↑ $11 vs prior year
Median Rate
6.500%
+0.1% vs national (6.490%)
Median Origination
$1,583
Purchase Originations
38,932
Denial Rate
15.1%
vs national avg (9.0%)
Kentucky is a judicial foreclosure state that uses mortgages as its primary security instrument; lenders must pursue foreclosure through the court system. Kentucky is an attorney-closing state, meaning a licensed attorney must oversee and conduct the closing, which adds a legal fee line item that buyers should budget for. Transfer taxes in Kentucky are structured as a state deed transfer tax assessed on the consideration paid; the rate is $0.50 per $500 of value, and by custom the seller typically pays, though this is negotiable. Kentucky follows a prior-approval regulatory model for title insurance rates, meaning insurers must obtain state approval of rates before use, providing baseline consumer protection. Kentucky's Department of Financial Institutions oversees state-chartered mortgage lenders and enforces consumer lending protections. Prepayment penalties on residential mortgage loans are subject to federal restrictions under Dodd-Frank and are rare on standard conforming loans; Kentucky generally prohibits prepayment penalties on residential mortgages under KRS 360.040, though federal preemption applies to federally chartered lenders.
Conventional loans dominate Kentucky's purchase market, representing 61.6% of originations (23,124 loans) at a median rate of 6.75% and median costs of $3,962 — the most cost-efficient loan type in the state. FHA loans account for 23.8% of volume (8,922 originations), reflecting Kentucky's relatively affordable price points and a buyer pool that benefits from lower down-payment requirements. VA loans make up 11.5% of originations (4,311 loans), consistent with the presence of Fort Campbell and other military installations in the state. USDA loans represent 3.2% (1,184 originations), a modest but meaningful share tied to Kentucky's substantial rural population.
Stockton Mortgage Corporation
Headquartered in Lexington, Stockton Mortgage is a Kentucky-based lender with significant in-state origination volume (2,190 originations in 2024), giving it strong familiarity with local markets across the state. Its median total closing costs of $6,835 ran above the state median, so buyers should compare fees carefully.
Mortgage Research Center, LLC
Operating primarily as Veterans United Home Loans, this lender ranked fourth by volume in Kentucky with 1,325 originations and posted a median total cost of $4,524, below the state median. It specializes in VA loans, making it a relevant option for military borrowers in Kentucky.
U.S. Bank National Association
U.S. Bank has a retail branch presence across Kentucky and recorded the lowest median total closing costs among the top-5 lenders at $3,781 in 2024, with 996 originations. Its physical footprint may appeal to buyers who prefer in-person service.
| Loan type | Volume | Median Rate | Median Total Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| conventional | 24,017 | 6.625% | $4,028 |
| fha | 9,466 | 6.375% | $8,941 |
| va | 4,193 | 6.250% | $5,090 |
| usda | 1,256 | 6.375% | $6,103 |
Ranked by median total loan costs among lenders with 50+ purchase originations in Kentucky.
| Rank | Lender | Median Total Costs ↑ | Median Rate ↕ | Median Origination ↕ | Volume ↕ | vs. Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $471 | 7.750% | $0 | 62 | −$4,536 | |
| 2 | $1,693 | 6.625% | $500 | 653 | −$3,314 | |
| 3 | $1,772 | 5.500% | $0 | 159 | −$3,235 | |
| 4 | $1,923 | 6.290% | $600 | 150 | −$3,084 | |
| 5 | $1,947 | 6.625% | $500 | 64 | −$3,060 | |
| 6 | $2,452 | 6.750% | $1,720 | 95 | −$2,555 | |
| 7 | $2,506 | 6.688% | $472 | 102 | −$2,501 | |
| 8 | $2,581 | 6.750% | $400 | 343 | −$2,426 | |
| 9 | $2,638 | 6.000% | $900 | 737 | −$2,369 | |
| 10 | $2,662 | 6.250% | $880 | 123 | −$2,345 | |
| 11 | $2,742 | 6.390% | $450 | 52 | −$2,265 | |
| 12 | $2,926 | 6.375% | $569 | 296 | −$2,081 | |
| 13 | $2,929 | 6.000% | $0 | 304 | −$2,078 | |
| 14 | $3,007 | 6.250% | $670 | 235 | −$2,000 | |
| 15 | $3,023 | 6.000% | $525 | 428 | −$1,984 | |
| 16 | $3,196 | 6.375% | $825 | 58 | −$1,811 | |
| 17 | $3,256 | 6.250% | $985 | 97 | −$1,751 | |
| 18 | $3,265 | 6.490% | $920 | 545 | −$1,742 | |
| 19 | $3,292 | 6.000% | $850 | 723 | −$1,715 | |
| 20 | $3,330 | 6.500% | $975 | 89 | −$1,677 | |
| 21 | $3,418 | 6.625% | $1,450 | 225 | −$1,589 | |
| 22 | $3,573 | 6.500% | $899 | 231 | −$1,434 | |
| 23 | $3,630 | 6.642% | $1,848 | 153 | −$1,377 | |
| 24 | $3,680 | 6.500% | $1,090 | 88 | −$1,327 | |
| 25 | $3,686 | 6.500% | $995 | 676 | −$1,321 |
Includes lenders with 50+ purchase originations in Kentucky. Source: HMDA 2025. Sorted by median total loan costs.
Kentucky's total closing costs typically fall in a moderate-to-low range relative to national benchmarks, driven partly by lower home prices and the state's competitive lender market. Attorney fees are a fixed line item unique to attorney-closing states and should be requested as a written estimate upfront. Title insurance (both lender and owner policies) and lender origination fees are the line items that vary most across providers and are worth shopping directly. Government recording fees and transfer taxes are set by statute and largely non-negotiable. FHA loans carry both an upfront mortgage insurance premium and an annual MIP, which explains their significantly higher median cost figure compared to conventional products. Buyers should use the Loan Estimate form to compare the 'origination charges' and 'services you can shop for' sections across at least two or three lenders.
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HMDA medians tell you what Kentucky lenders usually charge. Upload your paperwork to see exactly how your quote compares — and get a ready-to-send negotiation email.
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Grades A–F from verified closing disclosure and loan estimate uploads — not industry medians.
Jefferson County
8,358 originations
Fayette County
2,390 originations
Kenton County
2,136 originations
Boone County
1,706 originations
Warren County
1,198 originations
Hardin County
1,180 originations
Campbell County
1,135 originations
Bullitt County
1,100 originations
Madison County
1,039 originations
Daviess County
972 originations
Scott County
848 originations
Oldham County
805 originations
Shelby County
550 originations
Jessamine County
521 originations
Christian County
510 originations
Nelson County
495 originations
Franklin County
487 originations
McCracken County
458 originations
Laurel County
441 originations
Pulaski County
400 originations
Clark County
381 originations
Boyd County
367 originations
Barren County
337 originations
Henderson County
331 originations
Meade County
323 originations
Hopkins County
317 originations
Logan County
273 originations
Boyle County
270 originations
Greenup County
267 originations
Montgomery County
256 originations
Anderson County
255 originations
Grant County
245 originations
Graves County
239 originations
Pike County
239 originations
Whitley County
235 originations
Spencer County
230 originations
Woodford County
228 originations
Mercer County
228 originations
Marshall County
227 originations
Calloway County
226 originations
Simpson County
221 originations
Lincoln County
197 originations
Garrard County
196 originations
Allen County
195 originations
Grayson County
184 originations
Muhlenberg County
174 originations
Bourbon County
158 originations
Harrison County
157 originations
Taylor County
154 originations
Ohio County
152 originations
Carter County
150 originations
Breckinridge County
144 originations
Hart County
142 originations
Pendleton County
137 originations
Henry County
133 originations
Floyd County
131 originations
Edmonson County
130 originations
Johnson County
128 originations
Rowan County
127 originations
Larue County
125 originations
Knox County
124 originations
Trigg County
121 originations
Mason County
118 originations
Owen County
116 originations
Marion County
110 originations
See Kentucky closing cost details, fee benchmarks, and county comparisons → Kentucky Closing Costs Guide
Found your lender? Make sure their quote is fair.
HMDA data shows industry-wide medians. Your actual quote may differ. Upload your Closing Disclosure or Loan Estimate to see exactly where your fees stand — and get a ready-to-send negotiation email.
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.