King County, Washington Closing Costs
On the $811,200 median King County home, the county-specific closing items come to about $16,168: transfer tax $13,494, title insurance $2,051, recording fees $623. 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 | $2,400 | $770 | $623 | $3,793 |
| $200,000 | $3,200 | $866 | $623 | $4,689 |
| $250,000 | $4,000 | $963 | $623 | $5,586 |
| $300,000 | $4,800 | $1,034 | $623 | $6,457 |
| $350,000 | $5,600 | $1,099 | $623 | $7,322 |
| $400,000 | $6,400 | $1,193 | $623 | $8,216 |
| $450,000 | $7,200 | $1,289 | $623 | $9,112 |
| $500,000 | $8,000 | $1,384 | $623 | $10,007 |
| $600,000 | $9,735 | $1,574 | $623 | $11,932 |
| $700,000 | $11,515 | $1,766 | $623 | $13,904 |
| $800,000 | $13,295 | $1,955 | $623 | $15,873 |
| $1,000,000 | $16,855 | $2,336 | $623 | $19,814 |
Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in King County?
On the $811,200 median home, the county-specific items come to about $16,168: transfer tax $13,494 including King County local REET, title insurance $1,243 for the owner's policy and $808 for the lender's, and about $623 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 King County?
The seller customarily pays the Washington transfer tax. 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)
- Washington Department of Revenue, Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), graduated state rates
- Washington Department of Revenue, Local REET rates effective May 1, 2026
- WFG National Title Insurance Company, Rate and Rules for the State of Washington, Section I Basic Rate Table, effective May 1, 2023
- King County Recorder's Office fee schedule
Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. All sources.
All Washington buyer closing costs → King County home buyer guide →
Figures are computed from the documents above and rounded to the dollar. General information, not financial advice.
King County overview