Average closing costs in California

You need to pay closing costs to buy a home in California. Closing costs typically include fees you pay to your lender to fund your loan as well as transfer legal ownership of the house. How much are closing costs in California? Closing cost fees typically amount to a percentage of the home's sale price, which means that higher home values result in higher closing costs. Higher home prices in California mean buyers and sellers can expect to pay more in closing costs.

How much are closing costs in California?

Closing costs in California when buying a home averaged $17,581.32, according to data from Rocket Mortgage®.¹ That's about 21.3% more than the national average of $14,497.99.

When refinancing, the average closing costs in California were $8,050.51, which is below the national average of $8,382.36.

Closing costs usually are estimated to total between 3% and 6% of the loan amount. The median sale price for California homes in October 2025 was $838,000, according to Redfin. That's significantly higher than the national median sale price of $439,917

Using data from Rocket Mortgage and Redfin, the average closing cost percentage in California is about 2.1% of the home’s sale price, which is well below the national average of 3.3%.

What’s included in closing costs in California?

Closing costs cover the fees and services required to complete your real estate transaction. Closing costs include buyer fees and seller fees, though the exact breakdown varies by location and contract terms.

Buyers may ask for seller concessions, which are when the seller agrees to pay part of the buyer’s closing costs.

Here are some of the most common closing costs in California, along with who typically pays them. This list isn't exhaustive, and responsibilities can vary by region or as per a negotiated agreement.

Tips for lowering your closing costs in California

While California’s housing costs are among the highest in the nation, there are ways to save on closing costs through thoughtful planning and negotiation.

Here are a few practical strategies California home buyers can try to keep costs under control:

• Ask for seller concessions. Request that the seller cover some of your closing costs as part of your purchase agreement. Seller concessions are common in a balanced or buyer-friendly market.
• Shop around for lenders. Different lenders may charge other fees for origination, underwriting, or rate locks. Comparing multiple loan offers can help you find the lowest overall costs.
• Negotiate the home price. Because closing costs are calculated as a percentage of the sale price, negotiating even a slight price reduction can help you save on both your loan amount and your closing costs.
• Review your Loan Estimate carefully. Your lender must provide a Loan Estimate that outlines all expected closing fees. Compare this document with your final Closing Disclosure to ensure there are no unexpected charges.
• Close at the end of the month. You’ll pay fewer prepaid interest days if your closing date falls later in the month, which can lower your total amount due at signing.

Bottom line: Closing costs in California are high but negotiable

California’s real estate market is known for beautiful homes, desirable locations, and high price tags. Understanding your closing costs early helps you plan your budget, avoid surprises, and feel more confident at the closing table. Closing costs aren’t set in stone. You can often negotiate them or reduce them through careful planning, comparison shopping, and timing your purchase.

Ready to see what you can afford? Start your application with Rocket Mortgage today.

¹ Based on Rocket Mortgage closing cost data for the period January 1 – November 30 for 2024 and 2025.