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Maryland Closing Cost Calculator for Buyers & Sellers
Use Pruitt Title's live TitleCapture tool for a Maryland title and settlement estimate based on the transaction details you enter. The calculator remains here on DMV Title Guy.
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Get Your Maryland Quote Through TitleCapture
Use the live Pruitt Title quote tool for title insurance, settlement charges, and applicable Maryland closing items. Final figures are confirmed after the contract and transaction details are reviewed.
The quote tool stays embedded on DMV Title Guy. Results are estimates until Pruitt Title reviews the contract and transaction details.
Closing Cost Calculator Maryland
This page uses Pruitt Title's TitleCapture quote tool rather than a hand-maintained formula. Buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders can enter the transaction details TitleCapture requests and receive a Maryland-specific estimate from the same quote system Pruitt Title uses.
Use the result to prepare for a closing-cost conversation or compare it with a lender estimate. Pruitt Title will confirm the final figures after reviewing the contract, lender information, and property details.
How Maryland Closing Costs Are Calculated
Maryland closing costs combine lender fees, title insurance, settlement fees, recordation taxes, transfer taxes, recording fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, escrow deposits, and prorations. TitleCapture organizes the applicable quote items from the details entered above. It does not replace the lender's Loan Estimate or Pruitt Title's review of the signed contract.
Buyer costs commonly vary by loan amount, property type, county, contract terms, and whether the buyer qualifies as a first-time Maryland homebuyer. Seller costs depend heavily on payoff, commission, contract credits, prorations, and how transfer taxes are allocated.
Maryland Recordation Tax Explained
Recordation tax is tied to the recording of deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and certain other instruments in Maryland land records. It is separate from title insurance and settlement fees.
Maryland has no statewide recordation tax rate; each county sets its own rate. Montgomery County uses a tiered schedule under Bill 17-23, while Prince George's County uses 0.55%, equal to $2.75 per $500.
| Jurisdiction | Recordation Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| State of Maryland | No statewide rate; each county sets its own (Tax-Property § 12-103). A purchase-money mortgage recorded with the deed is not taxed separately. |
| Montgomery County | $4.45 per $500 up to $500,000; $6.75 per $500 from $500,000.01-$600,000; $10.20 per $500 from $600,000.01-$750,000; $10.78 per $500 from $750,000.01-$1,000,000; $11.35 per $500 over $1,000,000. |
| Montgomery owner-occupied exemption | First $100,000 exempt for owner-occupied residential property when the buyer intends to occupy for 7 of the next 12 months. |
| Prince George's County | 0.55%, equal to $2.75 per $500. |
| Anne Arundel County | 0.7%, equal to $3.50 per $500 (FY 2026). |
| Baltimore County | 0.5%, equal to $5.00 per $1,000 (FY 2026). |
| Howard County | 0.5%, equal to $5.00 per $1,000 (FY 2026). |
| Frederick County | 1.4%, equal to $7.00 per $500 (FY 2026). |
| Charles County | 1.4%, equal to $7.00 per $500 (FY 2026, up from $5.00 in FY 2025). |
Montgomery and Prince George's rates verified as of June 2026; the other county rates come from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services' FY 2026 local tax rate table. Rates are subject to change; confirm with the applicable circuit court clerk for the most current rates.
Maryland Transfer Tax Calculator
Maryland transfer tax calculations separate state transfer tax from county transfer tax. The standard Maryland state transfer tax is 0.5% of consideration. For qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyers, the state transfer tax rate is 0.25% and must be paid by the seller.
Use the TitleCapture quote above with the property's actual county and transaction details. The final allocation still depends on the contract and any negotiated tax split.
| Jurisdiction | Transfer Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| State of Maryland | 0.5% state transfer tax; 0.25% for qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyers, paid by seller. |
| Montgomery County | 1.0% local transfer tax for consideration of $70,000 or more; 0.50% from $40,000 to $70,000; 0.25% under $40,000. |
| Prince George's County | 1.4% local transfer tax; it does not apply to a purchase-money mortgage or deed of trust. |
| Anne Arundel County | 1.0% local transfer tax; 1.5% when the consideration is $1 million or more (FY 2026). |
| Baltimore County | 1.5% local transfer tax (FY 2026). |
| Howard County | 1.25% local transfer tax (FY 2026). |
| Frederick County | No county transfer tax (FY 2026). |
| Charles County | 0.5% local transfer tax (FY 2026). |
Montgomery and Prince George's rates verified as of June 2026; the other county rates come from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services' FY 2026 local tax rate table. Rates are subject to change; confirm with the applicable circuit court clerk for the most current rates.
Maryland Transfer and Recordation Tax on a $500,000 Sale
| County | State transfer | County transfer | Recordation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | $2,500 | $5,000 | $4,450 | $11,950 |
| Prince George's County | $2,500 | $7,000 | $2,750 | $12,250 |
| Anne Arundel County | $2,500 | $5,000 | $3,500 | $11,000 |
| Baltimore County | $2,500 | $7,500 | $2,500 | $12,500 |
| Howard County | $2,500 | $6,250 | $2,500 | $11,250 |
| Frederick County | $2,500 | $0 | $7,000 | $9,500 |
| Charles County | $2,500 | $2,500 | $7,000 | $12,000 |
Maryland law presumes the buyer and seller split these taxes equally unless the contract says otherwise. A qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyer pays a 0.25% state transfer tax instead of 0.5%, and the seller pays it. In Montgomery County, the first $100,000 is exempt from recordation tax for an owner-occupied home, which saves $890.
Montgomery and Prince George's rates verified as of June 2026; the other county rates come from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services' FY 2026 local tax rate table. Rates are subject to change; confirm with the applicable circuit court clerk for the most current rates.
Maryland Seller Closing Costs
Maryland seller closing costs commonly include broker commission, mortgage payoff, seller settlement fee, prorated taxes, HOA or condo resale documents, lien releases, and any transfer taxes or buyer credits assigned to the seller by contract.
A seller net estimate should be reviewed with the payoff, contract, county, expected closing date, and any negotiated repair credits before the seller relies on the final net proceeds number.
Use the seller net sheet calculator to estimate seller proceeds from your own inputs. It is a planning estimate, not a quote or final settlement statement.
Who Pays Closing Costs in Maryland: Buyer vs Seller
Buyer Closing Cost Line Items
- Lender origination and underwriting fees
- Appraisal and credit report fees
- Lender's title insurance policy
- Owner's title insurance policy if selected or negotiated
- Recordation taxes and recording fees
- Transfer taxes depending on the contract and local custom
- Prepaid taxes, insurance, and escrow deposits
Seller Closing Cost Line Items
- Broker commission
- Mortgage payoff and payoff statement fees
- Seller settlement fee
- State and county transfer taxes depending on the contract and local custom
- Prorated property taxes and assessments
- HOA or condo resale package fees
- Lien releases and related recording charges
Transfer tax allocation is often handled by the contract and local custom. A title company should review the signed contract before either side relies on an estimate.
Example Maryland Closing Tax Calculations
Transfer and recordation taxes only, before any first-time buyer or owner-occupied reductions. Title insurance, settlement fees, lender charges and prepaid items come on top.
$600,000 Rockville purchase
- State transfer tax (0.5%): $3,000
- Montgomery County transfer tax: $6,000
- Montgomery County recordation tax: $5,800
- Total: $14,800, or $7,400 each if split equally
$950,000 Bethesda purchase
- State transfer tax (0.5%): $4,750
- Montgomery County transfer tax: $9,500
- Montgomery County recordation tax: $13,172
- Total: $27,422, or $13,711 each if split equally
$475,000 Prince George's County purchase
- State transfer tax (0.5%): $2,375
- Prince George's County transfer tax: $6,650
- Prince George's County recordation tax: $2,612.50
- Total: $11,637.50, or $5,818.75 each if split equally
$425,000 Baltimore County sale
- State transfer tax (0.5%): $2,125
- Baltimore County transfer tax: $6,375
- Baltimore County recordation tax: $2,125
- Total: $10,625, or $5,312.50 each if split equally
Montgomery County Closing Costs
Montgomery County closing cost estimates need county-specific tax handling because Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Potomac transactions can involve different property types, price points, lender requirements, and contract allocations.
Use a Montgomery County-specific quote when reviewing transfer tax, recordation charges, title insurance, settlement fees, and any HOA or condo documentation costs.
Prince George's County Closing Costs
Prince George's County closing cost examples should account for the 1.4% county transfer tax and the 0.55% recordation tax, both on the price. The county transfer tax does not apply to a purchase-money mortgage or deed of trust, so the loan amount does not add to it.
Buyers and sellers in Bowie, Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro, Laurel, and College Park should use county inputs rather than relying on Montgomery County or statewide assumptions.
Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring Examples
Bethesda
Bethesda purchase prices can make percentage-based taxes, title insurance, and lender charges more visible in the final cash-to-close estimate.
Rockville
Rockville has a broad mix of condos, townhomes, and single-family homes, so the estimate should reflect both property type and Montgomery County tax treatment.
Silver Spring
Silver Spring closing costs can differ between downtown condos, Wheaton-area homes, townhomes, and single-family properties because HOA/condo documents and lender items vary.
First-Time Homebuyer Closing Cost Benefits in Maryland
Qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyers receive a reduced 0.25% Maryland state transfer tax rate, paid by the seller. County-specific benefits or exemptions can also affect the calculation when both purchase price and loan amount are part of the closing cost review.
Eligibility can depend on the buyer, occupancy, property type, county, transaction documents, and timing. Pruitt Title can review the documents for the actual transaction before settlement.
Maryland Title Insurance and Settlement Fees
Title insurance protects against covered title defects, liens, and ownership issues. Maryland buyers often see separate lender's title insurance and owner's title insurance line items, depending on the loan and contract.
Each underwriter files its own Maryland title insurance rates, and the exact premium depends on purchase price, loan amount, policy type, and whether simultaneous issue pricing applies.
Maryland Closing Cost FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are closing costs in Maryland?
Maryland closing costs depend on the purchase price, loan amount, county, title insurance, lender fees, taxes, recording charges, and escrow deposits. Use the embedded TitleCapture tool for a transaction-specific estimate, then have Pruitt Title confirm the final figures from the contract and closing details.
Who pays transfer tax in Maryland?
Transfer tax allocation is usually governed by the purchase contract, local custom, and negotiation. Maryland transactions can involve both state transfer tax and county transfer tax, so the contract should be reviewed before assuming whether the buyer, seller, or both sides pay.
What is the transfer tax in Baltimore County, Maryland?
Baltimore County charges a 1.5% county transfer tax and a recordation tax of $5.00 per $1,000 (0.5%), on top of Maryland's 0.5% state transfer tax (FY 2026 rates). On a $500,000 sale that is $7,500 county transfer, $2,500 recordation and $2,500 state transfer, $12,500 in total. Maryland law presumes the buyer and seller split these taxes equally unless the contract says otherwise.
What are the transfer and recordation taxes in Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel County charges a 1.0% county transfer tax, rising to 1.5% when the price is $1 million or more, and a recordation tax of $3.50 per $500 (0.7%), plus Maryland's 0.5% state transfer tax (FY 2026 rates). On a $500,000 sale that is $5,000 county transfer, $3,500 recordation and $2,500 state transfer, $11,000 in total, split equally by default unless the contract says otherwise.
What is the Maryland recordation tax?
Maryland recordation tax is charged when deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and certain other instruments are recorded in land records. There is no statewide rate: each county sets its own.
Are closing costs different in Montgomery County?
Yes. Montgomery County uses a tiered recordation tax schedule under Bill 17-23 and charges local transfer tax based on consideration. Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Potomac transactions should use Montgomery County-specific calculations.
How much are buyer closing costs in Maryland?
Buyer closing costs can include lender fees, appraisal, credit report, title insurance, recordation taxes, transfer taxes depending on the contract, recording fees, prepaid taxes, insurance, and escrow deposits. The exact estimate depends on the property, lender, county, and closing date.
How much are seller closing costs in Maryland?
Maryland seller closing costs can include broker commission, payoff charges, seller settlement fees, transfer taxes depending on the contract, prorated taxes, HOA or condo fees, lien releases, and recording charges.
What closing costs do Maryland buyers pay?
Maryland buyers commonly pay lender-related charges, title charges, recording fees, prepaid taxes and insurance, escrow deposits, and taxes assigned to the buyer by contract or local custom.
What closing costs do Maryland sellers pay?
Maryland sellers commonly pay commission, mortgage payoff, seller-side settlement charges, prorations, HOA or condo resale package costs, lien release costs, and any transfer taxes assigned to the seller by contract or local custom.
Does Maryland have county transfer taxes?
Yes. Montgomery County charges 1.0% for consideration of $70,000 or more, with lower tiers below $70,000. Prince George's County charges 1.4%, which does not apply to a purchase-money mortgage or deed of trust.
Do first-time homebuyers pay transfer tax in Maryland?
Qualifying first-time Maryland homebuyers receive the reduced 0.25% Maryland state transfer tax rate, and that state transfer tax must be paid by the seller. County-specific benefits or exemptions depend on the county and transaction details.
How much is title insurance in Maryland?
Maryland title insurance cost depends on the purchase price, loan amount, owner's policy, lender's policy, and whether simultaneous issue pricing applies. Premiums and settlement charges should be verified for the actual transaction.
Is this Maryland closing cost calculator exact?
The quote is generated through Pruitt Title's TitleCapture tool using the transaction details you enter. It is still an estimate until Pruitt Title reviews the signed contract, lender information, county, title requirements, payoff details, and target closing date.
How should I estimate Montgomery County closing costs?
Use Montgomery County-specific transfer tax and recordation tax assumptions instead of a generic statewide estimate. Montgomery County has a local transfer tax schedule and tiered recordation tax rates, with a potential first $100,000 owner-occupied residential exemption.
Why are Prince George's County closing costs different?
Prince George's County uses a 1.4% local transfer tax and 0.55% recordation tax. A purchase-money deed of trust is not subject to the county's transfer tax, so the loan amount does not add to it.
Does Baltimore County use the same closing cost estimate as Montgomery or Prince George's County?
No. Baltimore County transactions should be checked against Baltimore County transfer, recordation, recording, and contract-allocation rules. The statewide calculator is a starting point, but county-specific review is needed before settlement.