Average closing costs in Pennsylvania

When you’re buying a home, you need to pay closing costs, which typically total 3% – 6% of the loan amount. While home prices in Pennsylvania are lower than the national average, average closing costs are higher. So, how much are closing costs in Pennsylvania? Here’s a closer look at closing costs in Pennsylvania and how they compare to the national average.

How much are closing costs in Pennsylvania?

Average Pennsylvania closing costs when buying a home are $16,192, according to data from Rocket Mortgage®.¹ That's 12.3% more than the national average of $14,422.

When refinancing, the average closing costs in Pennsylvania were $9,079, which is slightly more than the national average of $8,762.

The median home price in Virginia in October 2025 was $307,200, according to Redfin. That's more than 30% lower than the national median sale price of $439,846.

Using data from Rocket Mortgage and Redfin, the average closing cost percentage in Pennsylvania is about 5.2% of the home’s sale price, which is higher than the national average of 3.2%.

Closing costs can vary significantly depending on location, home price, and other factors.

What is included in closing costs in Pennsylvania?

Closing costs in Pennsylvania encompass a range of fees, with both sellers and buyers contributing to these expenses. In some cases, these fees can be negotiated, including real estate commissions or REALTOR® fees,  

Closing costs also depend on how much you're borrowing to buy a home. For example, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the median home price is $315,000. That’s significantly higher than the median home price of $247,250 in Pittsburgh.

Typical closing costs in Pennsylvania include:

• Real estate agent commissions. Real estate agent commissions are among the most significant portion of closing costs. They are typically a percentage of the home's sale price. In recent years, commissions have become more transparent and negotiable, providing home buyers and sellers with greater clarity and control over their payments. While each agent historically earned 3%, resulting in a total of 6% between the buyer's and seller's agents, that has dropped to about 2.7% today.
• Loan origination fees. Origination fees are charges for processing, underwriting, and funding your mortgage. Origination fees vary by lender, and average 0.5% to 1% of the loan amount.
• Appraisal fees: Lenders require a professional appraiser to assess the value of a home based on its condition and recent sales in the area. Home appraisals typically cost between $300 and $600, but costs can vary depending on the property and the appraiser.
• Credit report fees: Lenders must pay fees to the credit reporting bureaus to access your credit report and credit score. Those fees are often passed on to borrowers, although sometimes they're included in the origination fees. Depending on your state and lender, you can get a copy of the credit report used for your mortgage application.
• Inspection fees: Home inspections are conducted by professional inspectors for your benefit as a home buyer. Inspections thoroughly review the property's condition for signs of structural, electrical, plumbing, pest, and other potential issues. While it may be optional, it gives the buyers a sense of the home's condition and whether it needs significant repairs.
• Attorney fees: Some home buyers, particularly those purchasing more expensive properties or homes with more complex contracts, prefer to retain an attorney to review documents or attend the closing.
• Prepaid taxes and insurance: Prepaid taxes and insurance are collected at closing to cover the remainder of the year’s property taxes as well as the first property insurance payment. Property taxes are split between the buyer and seller based on the time they owned the home. Homeowners insurance protects you and the lender in the event of a covered financial loss or liability related to the home.

Pennsylvania law requires lenders to provide a detailed closing cost estimate, so you won't be caught by surprise at the closing meeting.

Calculating closing costs

It's difficult to accurately predict closing costs. Your lender will include closing costs in the Loan Estimate you'll receive within 3 business days of applying for a mortgage. You'll see which costs are fixed and which you can shop around for to get a better deal. Your Closing Disclosure will arrive at least 3 business days before your closing date. It will include your final and most accurate estimate of what you'll pay.

Who pays closing costs in Pennsylvania?

Closing costs are generally split between the buyer and seller in Pennsylvania. But that doesn’t mean the two parties pay costs equally.

While some closing costs are tied to the real estate agent, the buyer typically pays additional fees for services such as a new mortgage origination, appraisal, and inspections, which home sellers don't have to cover. You can negotiate with the other party over who covers real estate commissions and other closing fees.

Costs for sellers

• Real estate agent commissions
• Transfer taxes, where applicable
• Title insurance (owner’s policy)
• Deed preparation and recording fees
• Outstanding liens or mortgages

Costs for buyers

• Loan origination fees
• Appraisal fees
• Credit report fees
• Home inspections
• Title insurance (lender’s policy)
• Recording fees
• Prepaid costs (taxes, insurance, mortgage interest)

FAQ

For someone learning about closing costs in PA, here are some of the most common questions:

How can you save on closing costs in Pennsylvania?

You can save on closing costs in Pennsylvania by shopping around for various services to find the lowest-cost options that meet your needs. You can compare lenders and title companies, negotiate seller concessions, or search for a lower-cost real estate agent. Consider exploring programs for first-time home buyers or no-closing-cost mortgages if you’re worried about covering those costs out of pocket.

Do you need to pay attorney fees at closing in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law doesn’t require either party to hire an attorney for a real estate transaction, but many buyers and sellers choose to do so. While there’s an extra cost, the added protection of a real estate attorney can save you more money down the road in the event of an unexpected issue with your contracts or title.

How much should you save for closing costs in Pennsylvania?

Home buyers in Pennsylvania pay an average of $16,192 in closing costs. It’s best to budget for closing costs on the higher end of the range and treat any savings as a financial bonus. Find out how much home you can afford with this helpful home affordability calculator.

The bottom line: Closing costs in Pennsylvania are higher than the national average

Closing costs in Pennsylvania are a significant expense when buying a home. If you’re looking to buy a home in Pennsylvania or anywhere else in the U.S., a mortgage is a key part of the home buying process.

Learn more and start your journey to homeownership with Rocket Mortgage today.

[1] Data pulled from Rocket Mortgage closing costs info from Aug. 15, 2024, to Aug. 15, 2025.