Kern County, California Closing Costs
On the $310,600 median Kern County home, the county-specific closing items come to about $1,864: transfer tax $342, title insurance $1,406, recording fees $116. Lender fees, appraisal and prepaids are added by the loan, not the county.
County-specific closing costs by purchase price
| Purchase price | Transfer tax | Title insurance (both policies) | Recording fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $165 | $993 | $116 | $1,274 |
| $200,000 | $220 | $1,134 | $116 | $1,470 |
| $250,000 | $275 | $1,248 | $116 | $1,639 |
| $300,000 | $330 | $1,378 | $116 | $1,824 |
| $350,000 | $385 | $1,462 | $116 | $1,963 |
| $400,000 | $440 | $1,575 | $116 | $2,131 |
| $450,000 | $495 | $1,659 | $116 | $2,270 |
| $500,000 | $550 | $1,771 | $116 | $2,437 |
| $600,000 | $660 | $1,912 | $116 | $2,688 |
| $700,000 | $770 | $2,071 | $116 | $2,957 |
| $800,000 | $880 | $2,243 | $116 | $3,239 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,100 | $2,563 | $116 | $3,779 |
Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in Kern County?
On the $310,600 median home, the county-specific items come to about $1,864: transfer tax $342, title insurance $1,231 for the owner's policy and $175 for the lender's, and about $116 to record the deed and mortgage. Lender fees, an appraisal, prepaid taxes and insurance come on top and depend on the loan.
Who pays these in Kern County?
Who pays the owner's title policy is negotiable; the buyer pays the lender's policy and the mortgage recording fee.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2019-2023 five-year estimates, table B25077 (median value of owner-occupied housing units)
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code Sec. 11911(a)
- Stewart Title Guaranty Company, California Schedule of Charges, effective July 7, 2025 (includes all revisions), Section 11.2 Residential Rates (1-4 unit residential) and Section 3.1 Lender's Title Insurance Rates
- Kern County Assessor-Recorder fee schedule
Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. All sources.
All California buyer closing costs → Kern County home buyer guide →
Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. General information, not financial advice.
Kern County overview